The compression at the Canary Islands, affecting the IMOCA leaders due to very light winds, was anticipated before the TRANSAT CAFÉ L’OR started. The sailors are now navigating through these challenging conditions, with the first team to reach the trade winds likely to gain a critical advantage. In the Ocean Fifty class, SVR Lazartigue has repositioned well, and it is expected to extend its lead in the ULTIM race, while Class 40 competitors prepare for a restart from La Coruña.
In the ULTIM category, Tom Laperche and Franck Cammas aboard SVR Lazartigue have successfully manoeuvred north of the Cape Verde Islands. This strategic move has put them approximately 200 nautical miles ahead of their nearest rival, Sodebo Ultim 3, allowing them to optimise their route towards the Doldrums, which they anticipate reaching shortly. Cammas, aiming for a record fifth victory in this race, shared insights on their navigation strategy, highlighting the challenges posed by wind shadow zones created by islands.
Sailing alongside Cammas, Laperche expressed satisfaction with their strategic choices, noting, “Tom is doing really well, so it’s pretty great to have him. This SVR boat is quite a special configuration, I appreciate it more and more, as it reacts well to trimming.” They face tough competition as the fleet improves in performance, leading to an intense tactical race.
In the Ocean Fifty class, the competition is heating up as Thibault Vauchel Camus and Damien Seguin onboard Solidaires en Péloton have taken the lead, overtaking Basile Bourgnon and Manu Le Roch on Edenred 5. They have opted to angle west, potentially skirting closer to the light winds, while Bourgnon, maintaining a strong pace, acknowledged the fierce competition in the field.
In the IMOCA category, the leading teams are experiencing close racing. Just 29 miles separate Louis Burton’s Bureau Vallée from the frontrunners, Frankie Clapcich and Will Harris of 11th Hour Racing. This close proximity demonstrates the increasing intensity as several teams compete effectively in the very light winds, due in part to their prior experiences in similar conditions during the Ocean Race Europe.
Class40 teams are gearing up for their restart scheduled for tomorrow. Strategies will vary, with options to pursue either a direct route towards the Azores or a longer, southerly route. Notably, Germany’s Sanni Beucke, recuperating from an injury, will race alongside her co-skipper in the next leg.
The evolving dynamics throughout the race reflect the high stakes for skippers as they tactically manoeuvre through trying conditions. The upcoming days will be crucial as teams attempt to maximise their positions while contending with the unpredictable nature of ocean racing.
The tracking in live is here : https://www.transatcafelor.org/cartographie
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