Major Iberian maneuvers on the horizon

After the final tack off the Ushant Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) on Monday night, the 35 solo sailors sailed directly towards the Spanish coast. On this fourth day of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec race, the turning point is approaching, and the Figaro sailors will be able to tack to round Cape Finisterre. Irishman Tom Dolan (Kingspan) is leading the race, but the fleet's widely spread positioning could well reshuffle the cards during this maneuver. A strategic day is on the horizon.

It had to end eventually. The Bay of Biscay has finally freed the sailors from its relentless grip. They are now sailing in much more favorable conditions. The sea has calmed down but is still producing a long, beautiful westerly swell. The wind, at around fifteen knots, allows the solo sailors to catch their breath, to keep a watchful eye, of course, on the proper functioning of their Figaro Bénéteau 3s, and to attend to more mundane tasks such as resting, eating, drinking, and hygiene. After four days of racing, the sailors, aided by a bit of sunshine this morning, will be able to change their clothes and find some comfort.

A very provisional ranking

Positioned furthest west of the leading group, Tom Dolan (Kingspan), in first place, has made a superb run down the Bay of Biscay. He certainly has one of the straightest courses in the fleet. He is followed closely by Arno Biston (Article.1), third, Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne CMB Espoir), fourth, Thomas de Dinechin (Almond for Pure Ocean), sixth, and Arthur Meurisse (Kiloutou), eighth. In the more compact eastern group, Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), ninth, and Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire), tenth, are battling it out under the watchful eye of Nicolas Lunven (PRB), twelfth. Lurking behind this group, Titouan Mariley (Action Enfance No Limit), Victor Mathieu (Alitys), Pierrick Letouzé (Normandy Offshore Program), and Martin Le Pape (Paprec) are holding their course. Further east, Tiphaine Ragueneau (Orcom) and Edouard Gobery (SOS Children's Villages) complete this front. On the western edge of the fleet, slightly behind, Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025) is in second position. The Figaro sailors' positioning choices should be very interesting to follow at the time of the expected midday tack.

Yann Chateau, race director, reports:

“If we look at the paper, we get the impression that the positions haven’t changed much, but that’s also where we can realize the finesse of this sport and of the Figaro sailors. One of the best examples is perhaps that of Tom Dolan who tacked to the west as the front passed and managed to convert this westward shift into a gain to the south.

The upcoming positioning is very precise and detailed, as a wind shift is expected during the day. Some have preferred to stay west and maintain this lateral advantage, while others have opted to try and convert the lateral advantage into a longitudinal gain to the south and move closer to the front of the fleet.

It's really in the small details that this long leg will be decided. Otherwise, our sailors must have gotten quite a bit of sleep last night to recover from the first two grueling days and prepare for what promises to be a much calmer stretch ahead.