After 25 days and 5 hours at sea, and 5,898 nautical miles at an average speed of 9.7 knots, the Class40 CREDIT MUTUEL crossed the finish line in Recife as the winner of Leg 5 of the GLOBE40. The race commenced on February 18 from Valparaiso, Chile. It was a highly anticipated stage for the leaders, a chance to settle the score after a surprising tie in the previous 7,000-mile transpacific leg. However, the unfolding scenario was very different, yet just as intense.
After a magnificent start from the legendary Valparaiso Bay, expectations rose for another fierce battle between the two leaders: BELGIUM OCEAN RACING – CURIUM, leading by 2 points, and CREDIT MUTUEL. Facing difficult conditions from the outset with headwinds of around thirty knots and a choppy sea, the Class40 fleet was soon struggling. By February 23, the Belgian team announced significant damage and opted to head to Valdivia for repairs, returning back to sea within five hours due to an effective intervention by their technical support.
Meanwhile, CREDIT MUTUEL took full advantage of more favourable weather conditions, pushing ahead while BELGIUM OCEAN RACING battled to regain their earlier course.
On February 26, CREDIT MUTUEL rounded Cape Horn with a commanding lead of nearly 600 miles in conditions remarkably favourable for the legendary area. Following this milestone, other Class40s rounded Cape Horn within 12 hours. However, soon after, a violent low-pressure system affected the crews as they sailed north of the Falkland Islands. The following fortnight was fraught with unpredictable weather, forcing crews to constantly search for wind possibilities while contending with mounting oppressive heat.
Despite a maximum lead of 612 miles over BELGIUM OCEAN RACING at Cape Horn, by March 11, that lead had dwindled to just 12 miles. A fishing net incident saw CREDIT MUTUEL momentarily delayed, allowing BELGIUM OCEAN RACING to catch up. However, CREDIT MUTUEL managed to escape again, maintaining an average lead of around fifty miles.
As the race progressed, BELGIUM OCEAN RACING was expected to arrive late tonight, resulting in a presumed second place. This anticipated finish, coupled with today’s victory for CREDIT MUTUEL, created a tie in the overall standings at 19 points, awaiting confirmation from the race committee.
To follow the race: https://www.globe40.com/cartographie/
Article by: SIRIUS EVENTS
#GLOBE40 #SailingNews #AustralianSailing
More Offshore Sailing stories: Click here
