The Rich get Richer in La Solitaire du Figaro
Twenty-four hours into the second leg of La Solitaire du Figaro and conditions on the water have changed. The sun has come out, there is 15 knots of westerly breeze and the fleet makes good headway to the Brittany point, the next major mark of passage on the 575-mile race from Vigo to Cherbourg-Octeville on the Normandy coast.
'Espoir-et-espritinternet - La Solitaire du Figaro 2008 - Leg 2'
Marmara/Vialeron - Le Figaro ©
As forecast, the 50 Figaro sailors have left behind the light conditions experienced at the start in Vigo yesterday and found the stronger breeze coming in from the Southwest upon rounding the North of Galicia and are currently enjoying over 9 knots of average boat speed. Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) holds on to his early lead, now 8.6 ahead of his closest rival, Gildas Mah? on Le Comptoir Immobilier and 8.8 miles on G?rald Veniard (Macif). As predicted, those who reached the stronger breeze first have the extended lead, a classic case of the rich getting richer. Whilst further down the fleet, the sailors spent the first part of the day struggling to reach higher averages. Jean-Philippe Le Meitour (La Voix de l'Enfant) trailed by over 60 miles on the 15:30 polling.
Conditions on the water call for careful boat handling particularly as there is a strong sea swell and 3 to 4 metre troughs, which pitches the boat. 'The spinnaker is all over the place. There is a big swell as a result of the past few days weather systems and we are sailing on a broad reach under spinnaker but the cross swell makes it very unstable' describes Gildas Mah? over the VHF today. Whilst conditions allowed for the use of the autopilot last night, providing respite for some precious rest, now it is out of the question and full attention being required to keep the spinnaker under control to avoid sudden broaches.
Cercle Vert is positioned above the rhumb line with the bulk of the immediate pursuers following just above, whilst Pietro D'Al? (McLouis) continues to hold a more direct course further east of the fleet. Looking at the overall event leaders, Nicolas Troussel (Financo) lies in 19th and 14.3 miles from Cercle Vert and significantly, Christian Bos (R?gion Midi Pyren?es) is delegated to 39th and over 24 miles behind, giving Frederic Duthil (Distinxion Automobiles - 11.6 miles from the lead in 7th place) a chance to make up ground on his 3rd place on the overall leader board.
Right now it is a speed contest to reach the tip of Brittany, the next major hurdle will be tomorrow night where it will be crucial to time the passage well before the tide turns at 22:00. We could see a situation develop where the rich get richer and the poor even poorer.
Radio France Mark Prize: Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) was first to cross the line leave at 300? from the Hercules Tower Lighthouse in La Coruna, the set point of passage for the Radio France prize. Cercle Vert was followed by Gildas Mah? (Le Comptoir Immobilier) and Romain Attanasio (DCNS 62).
Radio Chat session over the VHF - Voices from the Sea
Corentin Douguet (E.Leclerc Mobile)29th and nearly 20 miles from the leader: 'miracles can happen'- 'Sailing under spinnaker, but not as fast as those ahead.quite simply because I have a little less wind. It looks like those upfront are extending their leads.like on the first leg. I did not have a good start and just can't quite latch on, it seems like I continually make the wrong choices, which does not feel good. Last night for example, I was next to Gildas Morvan and then I just did not gybe.so there you have it, he is on the front carriage and I am behind. Sailing is quite nice, but the sea state is not good, so the boat is being knocked around and you have to keep at the helm in order to keep the spinnaker full and avoid knock-downs. There should be some options after the Head of Brittany, but again it will depend on the tides and currents we get at that stage. Anyhow, even Federer has lost his place 1st place in the world ranking, which means that miracles can happen for others.'
Nicolas Lunven (Foncia) = 15th and 13.1 miles from the leader: 'Time for the t-shirt and the sun cream.'talks over the VHF at lunchtime -'We have nice clear skies and I been able to get out of my oilies and into my shorts and t-shirt, not forgetting the suncream. Had a good night last night, so not complaining as I am ahead some of the colleagues I was with last night. There were a few options when we left the Spanish coast, the wind picked up, so we did not really have to negotiate the passage. Not too far ahead I have KONE Ascenseurs, Banque Populaire, Athema, Distinxion Automobiles, so I am trying to hang on to them.
It should be quite fast up the head of Brittany. Not been able to update my weather charts since the start.'
Laurent Gouezigoux (Boitech) - 23rd and 16.1 miles from the leader: 'Tip of Brittany tomorrow evening'- 'All is good, it short and sun cream.I have some good bits and bad bits since the start of this leg, but I have managed to catch up a bit after having gone a little to close to shore. I can't wait to see the tip of Brittany to see what is going to happen. I now the area well from sailing in the Mini and doing delivery trips. I see myself getting there towards the end of tomorrow. I know the areas well and have sailed around there since I was 6 or 7 so will have to see which way I approach it. I am going to take care with the tides to avoid finding myself sailing against 5 knots of current.'
Nicolas Jossier (Esprit Voile 50) 28th and 18.4 miles from the leader: 'there is a battle going on'- 'It is really quite nice, we are moving along well and there is a real battle going on: boats to catch up with ahead which means we are fighting it out from behind. I am trying to handle tiredness and keep up the maximum because behind I see Fran?ois Gabart and I am going to try and stop him getting past. For me it is all a new experience and am doing my best to get into the rhythm. I got really tired at one point last night, but am feeling better now. Taken the jumper off and in a t-shirt. I am pretty much stuck to the tiller and it seems to be going ok for now.'
by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson 
carrum downs, VIC
