UPDATE – At the time of posting this story, Allagrande Mapei Racing have taken the lead, with Team Paprec Arkéa in 2nd and Holcim-PRB in 3rd.
The Swiss team is currently leading the race tracker, but Biotherm and Team Paprec Arkéa are closely following as they approach the Bonifacio Strait.
After a tense night of sailing in light winds, the seven-boat fleet was tightly packed, navigating through patches of calm. As of today, the leading trio of Holcim-PRB (SUI), Biotherm (FRA), and Team Paprec Arkéa (FRA) are nearing the Bonifacio Strait, which lies between Corsica and Sardinia.
Biotherm, skippered by Paul Meilhat, claimed the maximum points at the Monaco Scoring Gate last evening by taking an inside route at Cape Ferat, overtaking Holcim-PRB, which settled for second place. Team Paprec Arkéa, led by Yoann Richomme, managed to maintain speed and gain a slight advantage during the night as winds died down.
As conditions became more challenging with winds below six knots, the crews had to focus on adjusting their sails and navigation to stay on course. A fresh breeze arrived around 0200 AM, allowing the leading boats to accelerate to speeds of 15 to 20 knots, distancing themselves from the remaining teams, which included Team Malizia (GER), Canada Ocean Racing, and Team Amaala (SUI/KSA).
At 1200 CEST today, Holcim-PRB was still at the forefront, but Biotherm, Team Paprec Arkéa, and Allagrande Mapei Racing were all within striking distance. With light winds expected ahead and multiple tacks required, predicting who would emerge first at the southern tip of Corsica remains uncertain.
Alan Roberts from Team Holcim-PRB stated, “We can see Corsica. The night has been good. We are in the leading group… making our approach to the Bonifacio Strait. There’s a long way to go, and we anticipate several manoeuvres ahead.”
The leading group is expected to enter the Bonifacio Strait around 1500 CEST, aiming for a southerly route close to Sardinia’s northern tip. The first team through could gain significant advantage, accessing 10-knot southeasterly winds that would propel them towards the Leg 4 finish line in Genova, Italy.
For live updates and race tracking, visit www.theoceanrace.com.
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