Solitaire du Figaro-Beyou in the lead, high winds and rain on the menu

by Solitaire du Figaro on 5 Aug 2010 Solitaire du Figaro fleet crossed the high pressure ridge fairly early and is now preparing for the second night at sea, on their plate strong breeze, autumnal weather and rain. SN1 mark could be rounded soon.

The worries of crossing the high pressure ridge are only a memory for the skippers who left Gijon to Brest for the 385 long second leg. The fleet is well spread out over a 17 miles large area and the coming hours will be crucial to judge whether the best option was East, West or centre, that is to say the shortest one to the target.

By now the more easterly route seems to have paid off but it will not be until the SN1 mark that the games will be revealed. All the boats are keeping impressive average speeds and the mix of good strategy, physical strength and good manoeuvring will make a difference.

'It could well be that the leaders will round the mark around 10pm.' said Race Director Jacques Caraës 'It’s going to be a fairly exerting night and I advised all the skipper to wear their lifejackets, personal Epirb and a flash light at night. Just to remind them, you know.'

As far as the ranking is concerned the leader at the latest position report (at 16hrs) was Jèrémie Beyou (BPI) who has a little more than three miles advantage on second placed François Gabart (Skipper Macif 2010), third is the well experienced Kito de Pavant (Groupe Bel) while the winner of the first leg and leader of the general scoreboard Armel Le Cléa’ch (Brit Air) is fourth at 3.9 miles. Italian Pietro D’Alì seems to have found the right feeling with his Figaro II and is fifth at 4.5 miles behind Beyou.

Portoguese Fracisco Lobato (ROFF/TEMPO TEAM) is also doing very well, second of the rookies and ninth overall, less than six miles from the top. The positions of the other non-French skippers are Isabelle Joschke (Synergie) in 17th at eight miles, Swiss Bernard Stamm (Cheminée Poujoulat) 29th whilst Briton Jonny Malbon (Artemis) is trailing in fourth, distanced by 16.10 miles

Quotes from the sailors:

Jérémie Beyou (BPI)
'It’s becoming more muscular. The courses diverge, my competitors are not in view, I can’t see anyone. There are rainstorms and it’s pretty choppy out here. I opted to go to leeward, and those more windward have some ten miles lateral separation.

We will see if my actual VMG is enough or if they’ll catch me. Next position report will tell. The weather is not nice at all, the sky is grey, the swell a bit annoying and the wind strengthened and the air is wet. I’m sailing under spinnaker, pushing hard and trying to make the shortest possible course.'

Pietro D’Ali (I.NOVA.3)
'Everything is all right onboard, after the first 24 hours in very light wind, the breeze got stronger, We’re crossing the Bay of Biscay pretty fast, I’m getting ready for the high winds head and some rainstorms. During the night I had to do some sail changes. I’m in the leading pack and it feels good to be here. I really hope to keep this position to the finish; it would be a great result for me!'

Bernard Stamm (Cheminée Poujoulat)
'All well onboard, it’s pretty windy, sailing under spinnaker. Cool! I could take some rest, in five minutes naps. There is quite a few boats around me, Isabelle Joschke slowed down a bit but I can see one of the two Skipper Macif boats some hindreds metres in front.'

François Gabart (Skipper Macif 2010)
'Things start to become serious; we’re sailing fast with the small spinnaker. The breeze is up to 23 knots but my instruments recorded 27 a few seconds ago! There’s swell from the left, which makes sailing uncomfortable.

You need to focus on helming to be as fast as possible. Last night I decided to stay in the group who chose a central route, because I did not want to risk being too east or too west, and I’m happy with my choice. Plus, I slept for a good while. We’re 90 miles away from SN1 mark gliding at 10 knots.

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