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But it was a great start today with some spectacular images to follow and an immediate insight to how close it is at the top of each fleet. The first few hours saw the competitors battle it out to the north or south of the Calvados Wind Farm's restricted area, taking a position closer or further from the coast, as the current will be against them starting at 8 p.m. This change will at least have the advantage of flattening off the seas. But the wind will gradually increase this evening and tonight across the entire area between Cherbourg and Ushant with gusts of up to 40 knots. Tacking, monitoring traffic, reducing sail area, and stacking—all these challenges will keep the heart rates up and some cold sweats inside the foul weather gear.
ULTIM
A great battle for the ULTIMs, who one might have expected to push their port tack towards the English coast but they tacked back towards the Cotentin Peninsula. They're making 30 knots upwind with a VMG of 17 knots, which could put them out of the bad weather in the English Channel fairly quickly. SVR Lazartigue and Maxi Banque Populaire XI are trading first place as they tack. Actual Ultim 4 and Sodebo Ultim 3 are following within a 5-mile radius.
IMOCA
The favorites are there, with Macif Santé Prévoyance leading the way, shadowed by Charal, with Allagrande Mapei to leeward of them. After a strong start, Bureau Vallée is clinging to fifth place, and the gap to New Europe, which is bringing up the rear, is already 20 miles.
In a series, "it happens to the best," Paprec Arkéa, sailing at 16 knots, struck a buoy at 4:08 p.m local time this afternoon. Yoann Richomme and Corentin Horeau have reported damage to the starboard outrigger of their Koch-Finot Conq design and have been forced to turn back. They are expected to arrive in Le Havre after 8 p.m. this evening and will moor in the Paul Vatine basin. According to the TRANSAT CAFE L'OR Sailing Instructions, they are required to remain in port for at least four hours and have up to 72 hours to set sail again after the official start.
Ocean Fifty
After the night's rescues, the good news of the day is the recovery of Koesio, which ran aground on a rocky beach on the island of Guernsey, miraculously aiming for a sandbar. Erwan Le Roux and Audrey Ogereau's trimaran was hoisted onto the beach, sheltered from the tide and the impending bad weather. The trimaran is still upside down, but the two sailors' plan remains the same.
Class40: Why two legs are better than one
Tomorrow, the pressure gradient will slacken over the English Channel, and the wind will gradually ease. The further south the competitors are positioned, the better off they will be, in a west-northwest flow that will still be conducive to good average winds before dropping sharply in the evening.
The problem in the following days stems from a stormy low that is blocking the descent along the Spanish coast. Forced to pass along its western slope to sail downwind, the Class40s would then run into a new low forming north of the Azores starting Tuesday, with an active cold front that could bring seas up to 8 meters. The margin of maneuver would have been extremely limited to pass between the two systems, with dangerous conditions, especially for later sailors in this class, which combines professionals and amateurs.
Their TRANSAT CAFE L’OR Class40 will be over two stages, with a neutralization in La Coruña (Spain) which the competitors should reach on Wednesday afternoon.