The Tour de Martinique – Day 2
by The Round Martinique 15 Feb 2015 19:11 AEDT
13-15 February 2015
The Tour de Martinique day 2 © Denis Ruban
Wind, sun and waves for Stage 2: Marin to Robert
The twenty-five crews competing on the Round Martinique Regatta set off on the second stage of the race – a 33 miles course between Marin round to Robert on the Atlantic side of the island. The start line was set in front of the idyllic white sand beaches of Saint-Anne.
"The fleet remained relatively compacted today racing in a steady 15 to 20 knot easterly breeze, which held for most of the course, despite the slightly tough point of passage at the Table du Diable (Devil's Table) on the Southern tip of Martinique," explained Marc Emig, sailing on Martinique Premiere – Crédit Mutuel in the Racing Class.
The competitors raced close to shore, cutting corners in order to avoid the extra miles and stronger current offshore covering the course in just over four hours for the fastest, despite disentangling the large amounts of seaweed getting caught in their keels and tillers.
The fleet sailed upwind to the tip of Vauclin in 20 knots of wind and then under spinnaker to the finish in Robert. Jean-Michel Figures skippering Class 40 "Fiser" took line honours for the second day running, crossing the line just after 1430hrs.
"I am very pleased with the way we raced today. Yesterday we were still testing our new sails but today I felt we were in the swing of things and sailing well. We were impressed with the performance of the five Melges, who had a great race. The Surprise Class also sailed well and then "Oxygène", who had little competition in the Cruising Class, continues his own race well." Said Figures upon arrival.
First Melges 24 to finish, GFA, raced by Mathieu Bidault raced well today; "Yesterday we broke a line and three of our men fell in the water when we were in the lead. So this morning we got up early to prepare and double-check everything. We set off well today, stuck to our plan and held the lead to the end. I am happy we have managed to recover on some of the time we lost yesterday."
The sailors set anchor for the night in the Pointe de la Savane, a remote and beautiful site set among islands, where the race organisers have set up a welcome party dinner for all.
It could all come down to luck for the final stage tomorrow, where the high cliffs affect wind conditions on the north. The fleet will set off at 0800hrs Sunday morning for the third and final stage of the race; 50 miles form Robert round the north of Martinique to Fort de France.
Full results can be found here.