Waiting for transfer

It's a transition day for the 34 sailors at the start of the second leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2025. It's not an easy day, as the unstable conditions, lighter than expected, force the sailors to constantly trim to avoid losing too much ground. But everyone is taking advantage of the day to rest, eat well, and, above all, plan for what's next, including that famous tack to gain a way to the west and glimpse what's next.

Accompanied by dozens of dolphins, the 34 sailors are now refining their strategy to execute the tack at the right time that will allow them to reach the west. This ridge of high pressure, so important for the rest of the race, will be the deciding factor for this leg. Who will come out on top? It's far too early to make any predictions, but the fact remains that Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), positioned furthest east in a fleet that now stretches 12 miles wide, still holds the lead.

Behind, finally further east of Alexis Thomas, Arno Biston on Article 1, has chosen a route in the middle of the fleet while Arthur Meurisse on Kiloutou is at the eastern end. The sending of the first tack will be interesting and should change this ranking somewhat. It is worth remembering that the ranking is based on the total distance remaining between the finish and a competitor.

At the midday radio broadcast, conducted from the Express media boat, which is accompanying the race throughout the entire race, the sailors seem quite rested and are working on the strategy to adopt.

" The wind is quite light at the moment with 8 to 10 knots but we have a long swell that is sweeping the boat from left to right. You have to be on the right side to go fast. It's quite calm compared to yesterday. It's nice there are dolphins everywhere jumping in all directions. My arm is still hurting from all these maneuvers. I'm quite tired, but it was less strong all the same. We're heading towards the shift with which I'm going to quickly turn to go west. It won't be long but I think everyone will go there, " confides Tom Dolan (Kingspan) who is still suffering from a wrist problem.

" It's going pretty well, I managed to get into the race well and get into the rhythm better than on the first leg and that's pretty good. The conditions last night and then last night were pretty tough but I did some simple things and finally I managed to be in the right pack. It's still quite unstable at the moment. We have to be on the right settings but hey I'm going to go and make myself something to eat to put a little fuel back in the machine. After analyzing the files I'm happy to be downwind of the fleet and in the right pack. Then we'll see the position of the ridge and tomorrow's files to adjust the trajectory. In any case the conditions are quite pleasant. It's quite soft, but there's still some air. The swell is quite long so not too bothersome ," adds Laure Galley (DMG MORY Academy)