Last checkpoint before the finish – Jules Delpech first at Needles Fairway

After a quick crossing of the English Channel this Wednesday morning, the Figaro sailors are still maneuvering and rounding the buoys. A small joy in this succession of back and forths in the English Channel, the Needles Fairway buoy is the last course marker of this first leg, the epilogue of which should come late tonight in Roscoff in the Bay of Morlaix.

It was at 9:57:14 a.m. that Jules Delpech on P'TIT DUC cleared this final obstacle. He was followed by Alexis Loison (Groupe REEL) 42 seconds later. Unfortunately, the weather was not right for tourism, although the magnificent white chalk cliffs of the Needles, located at the extreme western tip of the Isle of Wight, were well worth a visit. After dropping the spinnaker, the sailors resumed their journey close-hauled, in a very strong current that encouraged them to be extremely cautious. Along the English coast, the sailors made every effort to navigate as best they could, tacking along the various bays that dotted the coast.

At the 2 p.m. checkpoint, Alexis Loison takes the lead of the fleet. Perfect timing for the final crossing to Roscoff. The Norman sailor has only 130 miles left to mark his territory and attempt to win. There are currently six of them sailing neck and neck. Jules Delpech (P'TIT DUC), Paul Morvan (French Touch – Foricher), Victor le Pape (Région Bretagne – CMB Espoir), Tom Goron (Groupe Dubreuil), and Charlotte Yven (Skipper Macif 2023) are less than a mile apart.

Push to the max in the west

For the moment, everyone is pushing as far west as possible while waiting for the wind shift that should occur in the afternoon. A shift that should allow the DST to move west.

While conditions remain manageable for the time being, the arrival of the front will significantly complicate life on board. For this final sprint across the Channel, the most lucid and least tired will manage to come out on top. ETA in Roscoff expects the first to arrive around 5 a.m.

They said

"I'm not super comfortable in the strong wind. I'm going to do my best. Physically, I've managed to rest well since the start of the race. We're currently sailing along the south English coast. The wind will gradually pick up, and it's going to be less and less fun. We have 24 hours of rough weather ahead of us," commented Chloé Le Bars (Endobreizh).

"With the English coast, there are some tricks to play with the current. It's a bit of a battle with Romain Bouillard (Décrochons la lune). We're going for a long port tack and then we'll be able to make our way. I took advantage of a bit of calm before the downwind to change, sleep and mop up the bottom of the boat for greater comfort," confided Eliaz Morineau (Demain sans HPV).

"For my first Solitaire, I'm super happy to be here. It's incredible. I'm a little disappointed with my last night. I made some good shots but I played badly in the Channel. I'm still a little behind but there's still a game to play, I'm not far behind. There are still a few fronts to cross during the day and tonight. It's still pretty cool until the finish, the game remains open," commented Hugo Cardon (Sarth'Atlantique)