The course to Ireland will see the fleet cover the first forty-six miles of the race on potentially reaching conditions up to Barfleur in 10 to 12 knots of South-westerly winds. “Conditions are forecast to freshen up over the course of the evening and we could see 25 knots with gusts of up to 35 at the Cap de la Hague, where we have decided to put in a mark at La Plate tower to avoid the sailors getting too close the rocks which are not all shown on many charts” explains race Director Jacques Caraës. The fleet then head down the Gros du Raz and leave Alderney to starboard on the run past Herm Island, then round Guernsey on starboard. “The reason we have set Guernsey to starboard is to keep the fleet out of the busy shipping lanes further north into the Channel,” continues Caraës. The wind is forecast to veer round to the North as the fleet will make headway up the Channel towards Lands Ends, 122 miles away. The conditions should remain fresh at 20 knots, gusting 30 for this part of the race and then ease on Tuesday as the breeze will back round to West, Southwest for the final miles to the finish in Dùn Laoghaire, 205 miles away from Land Ends.

Interestingly, the effects of a system of low pressure approaching over North West of Ireland on Wednesday could shake up positions and see the fleet compress on the final approach, as the breeze is likely to be felt first by those at the back end “Two miles from the finish, we have marked that Mullins Island must be left to port in order to avoid the busy fishing area” concludes Jacques who estimates the arrival of the boats in Ireland on Wednesday.

Experience, together with physical endurance will really count for the Figaro sailors, as they face strong upwind sailing conditions for the first two days of racing , fitness and mental alertness to then tackle the final sprint up the St. George's Channel, navigate the numerous sand banks along the Irish coastline, and possibly then have to sail under spinnaker to the finish in Dùn Laoghaire.