Transat Jacques Vabre: Nov 3 - Ultims hit mid-30's in the trade winds

Imoca boats in the docks during the Transat Jacques Vabre, in Le Havre, France © Jean-Marie Liot / Alea

The Ultims have found the tradewinds as they passed the Cap Verde islands off the Horn of Africa at 1200UTC on November 3.

Maxi Banque Populaire XI (Armel Le Cléac'h & Sebastien Josse) was probably first into the trades and extended its lead to 61nm over Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (Charles Caudrelier & Erwan Israel). SVR Lazartigue (François Gabart and Tom Laperche) was almost 90nm behind the leaders.

The 105ft maxi trimarans are averaging 34-36kts. Le Cléac'h & Josse have cut out 782nm in their 24hr run, with Caudrelier & Israel managing 734.4nm for their 24hr run. SVR Lazartigue achieved 703.2nm in the same period.

The next rounding mark is the islands of São Pedro and São Paulo, which they round before heading to Ascension Island. Then it is a long leg back up the Brazilian coast to the finish off Martinque.

Assuming they can traverse the Intertropical Convergence Zone, better known as the Doldrums, without serious delays, the organisers expect the lead Ultims to round São Pedro and São Paulo on Sunday.

Meanwhile the 90 boats in the IMOCA60, Ocean 50 and Class40 remain in Le Havre and Lorient waiting for a second storm to pass through - of similar strength to Storm Ciarán. At 1200utc on November 3 the breeze was down to a mere 30kts from 300° (NNW) according to nowcasting off Lorient, however the wind was expected to return with a vengeance, swinging back to the SW and averaging over 40kts, gusting just under 60kts - and lasting through to Sunday at least. The weather feeds are not in agreement as to when there will be an easing, which some forecasting an abatement on Monday, and others later in the week.

It would seem that organisers are just going to have to make a call, and leave the sailors to cope as best they can. The sea state will likely be the determining factor.