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Plus de FigaroLa Solitaire sailors halfway to Spain: slow motion finish?
29-07-2010
230 miles from the finish of the first leg of the Solitaire du Figaro the 45 solo sailors face a third complicated night at sea in very light and fickle breeze. The past 24 hours have produced several lead changes that continue to evolve on each position report. Yann Eliès makes a fast recovery from running aground yesterday to move up to second place behind Armel le Cléac’h. Sailors get some respite and gather strength for the second, tricky half of the leg across the Bay of Biscay and the high-pressure ridge.
There was drama last night at the Solitaire du Figaro headquarters when French skipper Yann Eliès onboard Generali Europe Assistance alerted Race Direction, that he had run aground on Primel beach in northern Finisterre. The PSP's Cormoran Naval ship located in the area was immediately warned and set the rib off to meet the skipper. Finally, Eliès managed to get off alone with the help of his engine, spinnaker and the boat's ballast. Shortly after Eliès called Jacques Caraës, the Race Director to report that everything was fine and that he was continuing route towards Gijón. Since Eliès had to break the engine seals (while racing all boats have sealed engines to prevent them from being used as a mean of propulsion while they are allowed to recharge the boat’s batteries ed. note) to perform the operation, the International Jury will have to meet in Brest during the stopover and take a decision. Most probably the Generali Group Assistance skipper will be receive a minimum of 30-minute time penalty.
The 45 sailors are currently preoccupied with the ridge of high pressure encroaching across the Bay of Biscay, blocking the second half of the leg from Le Havre to Gijón. The position reports show constant changes in the rankings over the past 24 hours, evident with the lead changes, Eric Peron, Yann Eliès, Armel Le Cléac’h, François Gabart, and Le Cléac’h once again on Wednesday afternoon over the course of the last 24 hours alone and midway through the leg. This marathon first leg is proving to be very demanding on a physical and tactical level, “It is not over until we get to Gijón, we have covered half but the second part will be very different from the first,” explained Thomas Rouxel (Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne). “The plan is to position oneself well to gybe into the ridge of high pressure at the right place and at the right time" concludes Rouxel, an opinion shared by the majority of the fleet.
On the bright side, the light conditions over the course of the day has given sailors time to get rest, dry out and prepare for the tough passage that lies ahead as reported by many of them during the daily “vacations radio”, the usual VHF chat radio sessions held each day.
The 45 sailors are currently preoccupied with the ridge of high pressure encroaching across the Bay of Biscay, blocking the second half of the leg from Le Havre to Gijón. The position reports show constant changes in the rankings over the past 24 hours, evident with the lead changes, Eric Peron, Yann Eliès, Armel Le Cléac’h, François Gabart, and Le Cléac’h once again on Wednesday afternoon over the course of the last 24 hours alone and midway through the leg. This marathon first leg is proving to be very demanding on a physical and tactical level, “It is not over until we get to Gijón, we have covered half but the second part will be very different from the first,” explained Thomas Rouxel (Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne). “The plan is to position oneself well to gybe into the ridge of high pressure at the right place and at the right time" concludes Rouxel, an opinion shared by the majority of the fleet.
On the bright side, the light conditions over the course of the day has given sailors time to get rest, dry out and prepare for the tough passage that lies ahead as reported by many of them during the daily “vacations radio”, the usual VHF chat radio sessions held each day.
