Richard Hewson

Mini Transat – Douarnenez to Pointe-a-Pitre

The Northerners

• Giancarlo Pedoti and Benoît Marie, off like a shot
• The wind comes from the north
• A ray of hope for the southerly tail of the fleet

A nasty headache! The stormy depression that is plaguing the race area is expected to give those soloists without a good strategy a major migrain. While Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian) and Benoît Marie (benoitmarie.com) seem to have escaped at more than 10 knots in the 20.00 rankings, it is much harder for their pursuers. The gap is widening, with the exception of the competitors to the north. In contrast, at the back of the pack some are pinning their hopes on a southerly route.

Without doubt, this stormy depression is creating the mess. In the leading series boats, from Aymeric Belloir (Tout le Monde chante contre le Cancer) to Jean-Baptiste Lemaire (L’œuvre du Marin Breton) have been slowdown once again. Only those who chose the northern option are doing well. In the prototypes Julien Pulvé (MEXT – ICA) is making more than 11 knots, while Louis Segre (Roll my Chicken) is three 3 knots slower. The could be the big opportunity for Nicolas Boidevezi (Nature Addicts), Michele Zambelli (Fontanot) and Alan Roura (Navman) who are 50 miles farther north, but holding their speed. There may be places to gained.

In the series boats, Renaud Mary (ww.runo.fr) reported more than 8 knots boat speed and could find that his choice of a northern route pays dividends, since he is just 40 miles from sixth place, currently held by Eric Cochet (Abers & Co). Other soloists could also pull the chestnuts out of the fire, for example François Lamy (Guadeloupe Espace Océan) and Pip Hare (The Potting Shed).

But what pays for one does not necessarily pay for the others. In the next group are committed supporters of a southern route who are currently making fast progress, including Thomas Guichard (Carrefour Bretagne), Raphaela Le Gouvello (Respectocean.com) and Jonas Gerkens (Netwerk 2). This is their opportunity to catch up with the leading group. Behind them boats are hitting the buffers. Ludovic Méchin (Paris Texas) and Pilar Pasanau (Peter Punk) are close to the eye of the depression. The stormy sky is beautiful, flamboyant cloudy, but the wind is conspicuously absent. Of the trade winds, we can only pray that the Azores anticyclone and be reborn from its ashes.

Yslab Ranking (series boats) at 20.00 (GMT +1)
1. Aymeric Belloir (810 – Tout le Monde chante contre le Cancer) with 942.4 nm to finish
2. Justine Mettraux (824 – TeamWork) + 124.2 nm
3. Simon Koster (819 – Go 4 it) + 207.2 nm
4. Jean-Baptiste Lemaire (607 – Œuvre du Marin Breton) + 343.7 nm
5. Tanguy Le Turquais (599 – Terréal Rêve d’enfance) + 388.9 nm

Cegelec / Eurovia Ranking (prototypes) at 20.00 (GMT +1)
1. Giancarlo Pedote (747 – Prysmian) with 685.6 nm to finish
2. Benoit Marie (667 – benoitmarie.com) + 27.8 nm
3. Rémi Fermin (741 – Boréal) + 152.2 nm
4. Bruno Garcia (240 – Sampaquita) + 176.7 nm
5. Bertrand Delesne (754 – TeamWork Proto) + 201.5 nm

The full rankings can be found online here.