All to play for as fleet packs tight toward Cape Finisterre
As the second leg of The Ocean Race Europe unfolds, the competition is heating up in the Bay of Biscay, with less than five miles separating the top five boats as they approach Cape Finisterre. The race has turned into a high-stakes speed test, with flat seas and light to medium winds forcing crews to continuously trim and adjust their sails while remaining within sight of their rivals.
Team Holcim PRB and Biotherm are locked in a fierce battle for the lead, exchanging positions multiple times since yesterday. Meanwhile, Team Malizia, Canada Ocean Racing, and Paprec Arkéa are closely trailing, ready to pounce on any opportunity.
“It’s pretty much a straight line, so it’s really working more on the setup of the boat, on the speed more than anything else,” commented Team Malizia co-skipper Francesca Clapcich. “This part could have been so much more painful than what it ended up being for us, so we’ll take it!”
With the fleet tightly packed, every decision counts. Sébastien Marsset from Canada Ocean Racing expressed satisfaction with their strategic choice near Ushant, which kept them competitive. However, as they near Cape Finisterre, tricky winds present a significant challenge.
“We managed to get a small advantage last night, but the night was tougher: the wind suddenly dropped, and Holcim PRB took advantage,” noted Biotherm skipper Paul Meilhat. His teammate Alan Roberts emphasized the importance of detail in this leg, describing the race as a “drag race across the Bay of Biscay.”
The competition remains fierce, with Amélie Grassi from Biotherm enjoying a personal rivalry with her husband, who sails for Holcim PRB. “I slept half the time and I worked the other half. At the start of the day, I was overtaken by my husband and at the end, I overtook him again. So overall it’s been a great day!” she said.
In a surprising twist, Allagrande Mapei opted for an early tack, aiming for stronger winds at Cape Finisterre. Co-skipper Thomas Ruyant acknowledged the risks of this strategy, stating that it could leave them out of sync with the leaders, depending on how the winds shift.
The fleet is expected to round Cape Finisterre later today, with an estimated arrival at Porto-Matosinhos scheduled for mid-morning local time on Wednesday. This unusual stop will see boats scoring points before a mandatory three-hour halt ashore, after which they will resume racing toward Cartagena.
As the teams gear up for this crucial leg, no one can afford to relax, with the points on offer and the tightly contested fleet setting the stage for an exhilarating continuation of the race.
Race coverage is available at www.theoceanrace.com and through media partner Warner Bros. Discovery on platforms like Eurosport and Discovery+.
Tags: #TheOceanRace #SailingNews #AustraliaSailing #OceanRaceEurope #CapeFinisterre
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