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LEG 1: LE HAVRE – GIJÓN 515 MILES
24-06-2010
Departure : 27 july 2010
The first leg of the 41st edition is the longest one of the race, and the most demanding. It will be a tough start for the skippers new to La Solitaire.
First part of the leg: “inshore and very technical”
The first run of about fifty miles will start with the crossing of the bay of Seine; the skippers will then have to take on the crossing of the Cotentin and the Raz Blanchard, well known for the strength of their powerful currents.
Upon leaving Aurigny Island to starboard, at the passage of the cape of The Hague, the single-handed sailors will head South sailing through the Channel Islands. The island of Guernsey and the island of Herm are points of passage, which means that the fleet have to either sail through the narrow passage called the great Russel on the direct route, or sailing a more Southerly route according to the time of the turn of the tide. In this case, the skippers will have to leave the island of Sark and its reefs to starboard in order to pass through the large channel north of the island of Jersey.
The first night on this leg will provide little if any respite to the competitors before approaching the pink granite coast at the passage of the seven islands.
The stage is set, accurate navigation and strategy will mark the beginning of the race.
Second part: The Brittany point to be rounded
The course between the Four channel and the Raz de Sein is yet another difficult and technical part on the race that will remind the skippers at the back end of the fleet that nothing is yet decided with so many new obstacles to face. The Triagoz isles, île de Batz, île Vierge, Four lighthouse, Molène archipelago, Saint-Mathieu point, the legendary île Tévennec, île de Sein, passage of the Raz de Sein… there will be so many key maritime marks to round, each with their own specific difficulties to negotiate. Skippers will have to be acutely vigilant on these 90 nautical miles before starting the run south covering 270 miles into the deep Bay of Biscay. The Asturias harbour of Gijón will provide deliverance for all on what looks likely to be a particularly tricky leg.
First part of the leg: “inshore and very technical”
The first run of about fifty miles will start with the crossing of the bay of Seine; the skippers will then have to take on the crossing of the Cotentin and the Raz Blanchard, well known for the strength of their powerful currents.
Upon leaving Aurigny Island to starboard, at the passage of the cape of The Hague, the single-handed sailors will head South sailing through the Channel Islands. The island of Guernsey and the island of Herm are points of passage, which means that the fleet have to either sail through the narrow passage called the great Russel on the direct route, or sailing a more Southerly route according to the time of the turn of the tide. In this case, the skippers will have to leave the island of Sark and its reefs to starboard in order to pass through the large channel north of the island of Jersey.
The first night on this leg will provide little if any respite to the competitors before approaching the pink granite coast at the passage of the seven islands.
The stage is set, accurate navigation and strategy will mark the beginning of the race.
Second part: The Brittany point to be rounded
The course between the Four channel and the Raz de Sein is yet another difficult and technical part on the race that will remind the skippers at the back end of the fleet that nothing is yet decided with so many new obstacles to face. The Triagoz isles, île de Batz, île Vierge, Four lighthouse, Molène archipelago, Saint-Mathieu point, the legendary île Tévennec, île de Sein, passage of the Raz de Sein… there will be so many key maritime marks to round, each with their own specific difficulties to negotiate. Skippers will have to be acutely vigilant on these 90 nautical miles before starting the run south covering 270 miles into the deep Bay of Biscay. The Asturias harbour of Gijón will provide deliverance for all on what looks likely to be a particularly tricky leg.
