One just needs to check the statistics to imagine the pace set by leading boat of the Mini Transat îles de Guadeloupe. Since leaving Lanzarote, the boats ahead of the fleet have covered almost 1600 miles, at an average speed of 11 knots. If they could have sailed a direct course, they would have already crossed more than half of the Atlantic. However, the detour to the north of the Cape Verde Islands to pick up the trade winds cost them a further 370 miles or so. A few facts and figures.
It is still full speed ahead of the fleet. The trade wind is still strong and the conditions are conducive to speed, although this second part of course, the fatigue of both men and equipment could lead some to ease off. At the same time, the high level of confrontation between the leaders is pushing everyone to get the most out of his or her machine. Only breakage or exhaustion might weaken the will of each to push their limits. This is clearly what happened to Victor Turpin (Générations Océans), who is only progressing at 2.5 knots. The skipper however, informed the race direction that all was well and that he did not require assistance. K8, one of the support boats, diverted to join his position, which should be reached this evening.
Ranking 6th November at 18h (TU+1):
Series (Ocean Bio-Actif Ranking):
1 Ian Lipinski – 866 – Entreprises Innovantes à 1 643.5 milles from the finish
2 Julien Pulvé – 880 – Novintiss à 3.3 milles
3 Edouard Golbery – 514 – Les Enfants du Canal à 65.1 milles
4 Edwin Thibon – 721 – Cœur Fidèle à 66.3 milles
5 Tanguy Le Turquais – 835 – Terréal à 65.5 milles
Prototypes (Eurovia Cegelec Ranking):
1 Frédéric Denis – 800 – Nautipark à 1 511.5 milles from the finish
2 Clément Bouyssou – 802 – Le Bon Agent – Bougeons l’Immobilier à 26.4 milles
3 Axel Tréhin – 716 – Aleph Racing à 28.4 milles
4 Ludovic Méchin – 667 – Microvitae à 32,9 milles
5 Luke Berry – 753 – Association Rêves à 36,2 milles
