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La Solitaire du Figaro: A 590-mile obstacle run
Posted 4 months, 3 days ago
La Solitaire du Figaro: A 590-mile obstacle run
www.Sail-Search.com: A 590-mile obstacle run The second leg of La Solitaire du Figaro will set sail from Vigo to Cherbourg-Octeville tomorrow at 10 am. The 590-mile leg is long and full of complex points of passage, notably the point of Brittany and Cotentin with strong currents will come into play. Nicolas Troussel holds on to a lead, but a turning tide could set the clock back to zero. The first part of the leg will consist in heading up Galicia’s “Costa de la Muerte”, past Cape Finisterre. The forecast is for light 8 to 10 knots Southwest breeze. The first 60 miles could be difficult, but once round the infamous headland, a depression is due to bring some 15 to 25 knots of westerly, southwesterly wind giving the fleet a free run to cross the Bay of Biscay. It is likely they will enjoy a fast spinnaker crossing, if they can latch onto the depression. “We are still going to have to position ourselves well to round the Brittany point because the playing field is going to be very open,” explains Erwan Tabarly (Athema in 4th place). The strong tides could really come into play at the various points of passage, the Raz de Sein, Ushant, the Raz Blanchard and so on. Each gives the 49 sailors a chance to make a comeback. “This is what the others are going to be saying to themselves to get motivated and attack me,” muses the skipper of Financo. Whilst the game is open for the rookie leadership with just four minutes separating François Gabart (Espoir Région Bretagne) and Adrien Hardy (Agir recouvrement). The obstacles become a steeple chase run with the Channel to negotiate, the Channel Islands to pass, then the Raz Blanchard at the Cotentin headland where it is possible to find 10 knots current and either accelerate or have the gates shut on the final approach to Cherbourg-Octeville. The Figaro sailors are expected in Cherbourg-Octeville from Monday. Full Story »
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