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The maxi trimarans now face a long tack for two or three days to get to Ascension Island. Erwan Israël, contacted this morning aboard Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, found conditions quite dull and boring. “We’re upwind and the wind unfortunately is not that strong. There was a line of squalls and now we have a header at 30°, so we’re lining up behind Banque Populaire and SVR Lazartigue." This is not the moment for major strategy plays, just some trimming to earn those extra miles in a wind that is up and down between 11 and 12 knots. "We’re really close to Edmond de Rothschild,” explained Tom Laperche(SVR Lazartigue) this morning. “We keep looking at the rankings and do some trimming. We’re making progress and the pace is intense. We’re keeping hard at it. There will be some small moves, but the overall trajectories are almost identical, even if there are some minor differences. There may be some tiny differences in bearings with the St. Helena High to play around with."
Out there (almost) alone
On the tracker, it is clear that Armel Le Cléac’h and Sébastien Josse continue to dominate the rest of the fleet. SVR Lazartigue and Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, respectively second and third are more than 120 miles behind (based on the difference in their distance to the finish). "It’s really annoying. They have sailed so well,” admitted Erwan. “We weren’t far from them in the Doldrums, around 30 miles behind, but we got stuck under a cloud and here’s the result.”
Aboard Maxi Banque Populaire XI, Armel is not celebrating just yet. Quite the reverse. "We are now in conditions where there is less wind than for our friends behind us. They tend to narrow the gap from time to time, but that is what it is all about. We know that the gaps will be up and down." Closely watching what is happening behind them, Armel and Sébastien are working hard, "We hope things will change a bit and that we will be able to gain a few miles. That would be nice, so that is what we are working towards."
The Doldrums tougher for the boats at the rear
At the back of the fleet, Sodebo Ultim 3 and Actual Ultim 3 passed Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo during the night. Anthony Marchand was slightly disappointed. “We didn’t sail very close to the island. It’s always nice to see some rocks when you’re sailing in the Atlantic." He was also slightly frustrated to have lost more ground after the Doldrums were more difficult than for the leaders. "It was Banque Populaire that was particularly well-positioned in comparison to everyone else and the Doldrums widened for us all the time. It’s hard getting out of the Doldrums when they are widening, as they don’t let you go.” The bows are now pointing towards Ascension Island. "There is still a long way to go, with a lot of hurdles, and weather opportunities to grab," added the skipper of Actual Ultim 3. "You have to remain fully focused and get some rest in that stretch to be able to go on the attack again, when an opportunity arises. You have to be able to react quickly."
"See you in Martinique"
This morning, the skippers were also thinking about their friends back in Lorient and Le Havre, who are finally restarting their race. "I hope that the competitors who are setting off get quickly away from the cold continent and get here to enjoy racing in the trade winds," said Anthony. "I hope they will have fine conditions. Here it is 25°C, and we are in our shorts and t-shirts," smiled Erwan.
The ULTIM skippers have all said they will be there on the pontoons in Fort-de-France to welcome them at the end of their Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre.
