Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona

The Charente-Maritime / Bahia Transat 6.50 leader Thomas Ruyant, is already less than 250 miles from the finish. Although the distance with second-placed Henri Paul Shipman has been reduced from 60 to 45 miles over the past 24 hours, a victory in the second leg of the race from Funchal (Portugal) to Salvador de Bahia (Brazil) looks certain. It is a difficult task for Shipman’s faster boat to shave many more miles off that figure in just over a day, because that’s all that’s left for the leader to dock at Bahia with the current pace.

The forecast of 15 knots of breeze shifting northeast came true. The group of five boats leading the fleet are sailing with the wind blowing over the quarter, in an almost ideal situation. This means the skippers can really get the most out of their boats, and with no other tactical calls required and no exceptional circumstances, Ruyant is set to win the leg.

Small hope

Between the first five and the sixth entry, Fabien Despres, there is a gap of 60 miles, that looks impassable for the nine boats in the second group, especially as Despres and co. are heading for an area of lower wind pressure. This may cause another ‘accordion effect’ and make for a thrilling end to the regatta.

The skipper at the back of Despres’ group is Remi Aubrun, currently 14th in the Protos. While he could definitely benefit from the compacting of the ‘accordion effect’, he must also watch out that Andrea Caracci, first in the third group in the fleet and 58 miles away, doesn’t get too hot on his tail. The Spaniards are also part of that third group.

Looking for a lull

The Mini GAES Solidaria team members continue to sail very close together, some 40 miles from Caracci. The skippers are depending on a lull ahead to allow the fleet to bunch together and to open up the chance for wider tactics to be employed.

Anna Corbella (17th) is the best Mini GAES Solidaria team member again and Toni Weijl (18th) has moved forward two places. Juan Carlos Sanchis watched his two team mates overtake him yesterday, and is now 19th, whilst Gerard Marín is still in 21st place.

In the Series Division Hugo Ramón is 22nd and Joel Miró is 29th.

Rankings 05:00 GMT.
Prototypes Division:                                                     

1.    Ruyant, Thomas / Faber France (FRA), 241.31 miles from finish.
2.    Schipman, Henri Paul / Maison de l’Avenir Urbatys (FRA), 44.87 miles from leader.
3.    Delesne, Bertrand / Entreprendre Durablement (FRA) 66.13 miles from leader.
.....
17.  Corbella, Anna / Gaes Solidaria 385 (ESP), 400.25 miles from leader.
18.  Weijl, Toni / Gaes Solidaria 684 (ESP), 405.51 miles from leader.
19.  Sanchis, Juan Carlos / Somni – Gaes Solidaria 403 (ESP), 408.58 miles from leader.
….
21. Marin, Gerard / Gaes Solidaria 727 (ESP), 457.58 miles from leader.
32 entries.

Series Division:

1.    Dalin, Charlie / Cherche Sponsor- charliedalin.com (FRA),  530.76 miles from finish.
2.    Lobato, Francisco / Roff Tmn (POR), 32.55 miles from leader
3.   Apolloni, Ricardo / MaVie pour Mapei (ITA),  52.35 miles from leader
....
12. Ramon, Hugo / Nassau – Gaes Solidaria 450 (ESP), 133.95 miles from leader.
…
29. Miró, Joel / Gaes Solidaria 677 (ESP), 319.21 miles from leader.
47 entries.