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Figaro Fleet Finally Off

Posted 3 months, 21 days ago

Figaro Fleet Finally Off
www.Sail-Search.com: The second leg of La Solitaire du Figaro from Vigo to Cherbourg-Octeville got off today at 14:45 after further delays due to lack of wind. This forced the Race Committee to adopt an alternative start plan. The fleet of Beneteau Figaro boats was towed out 1.5 miles offshore beyond the Cies Islands for simple start, at right angle to the rhumb line and so leaving out the traditional offset and Radio France Marks in order to get the sailors off as soon as possible. Forty five minutes into the race and the first position report confirms Laurent Docteur Valnet Aromathérapie), Christopher Pratt (DCNS 97), Nicolas Troussel (Financo), Jeanne Grégoire (Banque Populaire), Nicolas Bérenger (Koné Ascenseurs) and also François Gabart (Espoir Région Bretagne) good start as they heading North, northwest at an average 5 knots for the leaders. “Most of us opted for the offshore side at the start hoping to get more pressure” from the gentle westerly breeze, described Christophe Lebas (Lola) whilst Nicolas Troussel (Financo) headed closer to shore in hope of picking up some thermal breeze. The 3 to 6 knots of westerly breeze forecast to back round to the South and remain light and variable for the 45 mile run north to Finisterre was giving the competitors a chance to reach under spinnaker, but “it is a matter of delicate boat handling to keep the sail full” described Jeanne Gregoire (Banque Populaire) just an hour into the race. Moods were buoyant on the first conversations held over the VHF this afternoon as the fleet spinnaker reached in 7 to 8 knots of wind. Many foresaw turning the corner overnight to get latch on to the westerly 15 knot wind train that would take them across the Bay of Biscay. One thing is for certain; the sailors will face an intensive first night at sea for the initial part of this second leg. It will be a matter of first come first served to reach the westerly wind stream off the north of Galicia. The outlook will be very different for those who get there late. Full Story »

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