Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50 - The tactics of Cape Verde

by Veronique Largeau/amended Sail-World.com on 10 Oct 2009
The second key point, after the Canaries in this second stage of The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50, are the islands of Cape Verde. They are solitary lands with five northernmost islands, the islands of Barlavento and five more to the south, those of Sotavento.

The waypoint requires the skippers to go in between the most westerly Santo Antao and most easterly Maio. But where to go? Previous editions have shown that the best place is located between Sao Vicente and Sao Nicolau. Will it be the same this time?

Bertrand Delesne (Entreprendre Durablement) did not seem to hesitate. He rushed west. Shortly before the start of Funchal, the present leader and winner of the first stage for the Prototype class, confessed: 'Having already done the race is an obvious advantage. I would be more worried if I had not done it. Now I know where I go.' Bertrand must be remembering his previous experience as yesterday he went more to the east that his mates and he would not have done that without purpose.

The pursuers are still the same three sailors; HP Schipman (Maisons de l’Avenir Urbatys) on his Plan Lombard that he built himself, Thomas Ruyant (Faber France) and his Finot Conq which is excellent downwind and Fabien Desprès (Soitec) and his Plan De Beaufort 'on which I feel perfectly comfortable' as he loves to reiterate.

Three sailors, three architects in pursuit of the fourth, a plan Manuard. Exciting... But Bertrand does not currently appear to be the best positioned at the approach of Cape Verde islands. The western trio will be hoping he will 'go straight'.

Playing the role of hunters, we find Nicolas Boidevezi (Défi GDE) continues his pursuit. He too does not seem to be in a straight line for Cape Verde. A straight route is being followed by the South African Matt Trautman (Mini Mac), who could come back into the game with assistance from these islands. We know he is pugnacious, petulant, and never gives up.

Others know some misfortune as Stéphane Le Diraison (Cultisol-Marins sans Frontières). The leader for several days, Stéphane has dropped in pace for the past two days and must have some technical problem.

In the Series class, Charlie Dalin (Cherche sponsor-charliedalin.com) also heads towards Cape Verde. He certainly has a little less pressure in the sails than the Italian Ricardo Apolloni (Ma Vie pour Mapeï)) but he is still 25 nm ahead and Ricardo will have to jibe and head south to reach Cape Verde.

The objective is to avoid the windshadow of Fogo’s island and Mount Fogo – 3000 m – which has caused many troubles in the past to those who had got a little too close.

The Portuguese Francisco Lobato (ROFF-TMN) knows this only too well. He has just completed a spectacular come back from the 16th to the 4th place in 36 hours. His option, near the coast of Mauritania, has paid off. He is not alone, but with the solid Luca Del Zozzo (Corradi). A superb option for the Italian-Portuguese duo. Note the almost perfect race sailed by Henry Meyniel (Bévéac Consulting). He is certainly slower than his rivals Lobato and Del Zozzo, although he seems to be better positioned than they are.

The next hour will be difficult for everyone, especially as the trade winds will soften and sometimes change direction at the approach of the islands.

Ranking at 3 pm on Friday the 9th of October 2009:

Protos:

1. Bertrand Delesne (Entreprendre durablement) 2102 miles from the finish
2. Henri-Paul Schipman (Maisons de l’Avenir Urbatys) 17,88 miles
3. Thomas Ruyant (Faber France) 19,54 miles
4. Fabien Desprès (Soitec) 29,48 miles
5. Nicolas Boidevezi (Défi GDE) 55,52 miles

Series:

1.Charlie Dalin (Recherche Sponsor –CharlieDalin.com) 2198 2102 miles from the finish
2. Ricardo Apolloni (Ma Vie pour Mapeï) 26,54 miles
3. Henry Meniel (Bévéac Conculting) 48,58 miles
4. Francisco Lobato (ROFF-TMN) 44,47 miles
5. Luca Del Zozzo (Corradi) 48,1 miles

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