Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona

Just miles away from Brazil’s volcanic archipelago Fernando de Noronha, the leader in the Prototypes Division, Thomas Ruyant has managed to increase the gap with his rivals thanks to higher speeds and a well-chosen course. Ruyant, who is now sailing with bigger breeze, has achieved an average speed of 11 knots; whist the rest of the fleet hasn’t managed more than 8 or 9 knots.

Land ahoy!

The Mini Transat entries are set to fix their sights on dry land, following a week in the open sea since leaving Cape Verde behind them. Fernando de Noronha is a strategic point in the race and it will definitely be a welcome sight for the sailors crossing the Atlantic. It is also the last obligatory step before reaching the finishing line at Bahia. Forecasts this morning were pointing towards stable winds of 15 knots in the area of Noronha (as the archipelago is commonly known), great for the top group, who are looking to get as far away as possible from their rivals.

Once the boats pass the archipelago, made up of 21 islands, tactical options will par down to a minimum. All that will be left is a straight line from the main island of Fernando de Noronha to Salvador de Bahia. The main dilemma for the skippers will be whether to get closer to the Brazilian coast or not. Those who do may enjoy some strong gusts, but with the added risk of getting stuck in a breezeless patch, created by the physicality of the coast. Those who chose to sail further out to sea will enjoy breeze of 13 to 15 knots tending to drop.

The Mini GAES Solidaria team climb positions

In the Prototypes Division all of the four Mini GAES Solidaria team members; Juan Carlos Sanchis, Anna Corbella, Toni Weijl and Gerard Marín have climbed either one or two positions, despite dropping back from race leader Ruyant. The team continue to sail with the bulk of the fleet with lighter winds, meaning they have only managed average speeds of 6 or 7 knots. Over the last few hours the fastest of the Spaniards has been Toni Weijl, who has managed an average of 6,18 knots over the past 24 hours.

The Series Division leaders are further back from the head of the Prototypes, as they have lower average speeds. No skipper in this category has managed to top 6.5 knots during the last 24 hours. Hugo Ramón is holding ninth position and Joel Miró continues to climb positions. Over the last 24 hours he has moved two places forward and is now in 28th place.

Rankings 05:00 GMT.
Protoypes Division:                                                     

1.    Ruyant, Thomas / Faber France (FRA), 740.32 miles from finish.
2.    Schipman, Henri Paul / Maison de l’Avenir Urbatys (FRA), 49.09 miles from leader.
3.    Cuinet, François / Plan Jardin (FRA) 63.07 miles from leader.  
....
16.  Sanchis, Juan Carlos / Somni – Gaes Solidaria (ESP), 253.49 miles from leader.
17.  Corbella, Anna / Gaes Solidaria (ESP), 261.09 miles from leader.
18.  Weijl, Toni / Gaes Solidaria (ESP), 266.43 miles from leader.
….
20.  Marin, Gerard / Gaes Solidaria (ESP), 281.29 miles from leader.
32 entries.

Series Division:

1.    Lobato, Francisco / Roff Tmn (POR), 927.42 miles from finish.
2.    Dalin, Charlie / Cherche Sponsor- charliedalin.com (FRA), 8.63 miles from leader.
3.   Apolloni, Ricardo / MaVie pour Mapei (ITA), 27.26 miles from leader
....
9. Ramon, Hugo / Nassau – Gaes Solidaria (ESP), 71 miles from leader.
…
28. Miró, Joel / Gaes Solidaria (ESP), 202.29 miles from leader.
47 entries.