Transat Jacques Vabre: Nov 6 - Banque Populaire leads, two classes start
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz 6 Nov 2023 03:41 PST
6 November 2023
Class 40 start - Transat Jacques Vabre - Lorient, France - November 5, 2023 © TransAt Jacques Vabre
Maxi Banque Populaire XI (Armel Le Cléac'h & Sebastien Josse) continues to head the Ultim class but have had their lead cut from 92nm to 46nm at 11.00hrs UTC.
The 105ft Maxi trimarans have closed up as they make their final approach to the next point on the course, Ascension Island - a long time strategic military asset in the South Atlantic.
In the past 24 hours the second and third positions have changed. Second is SVR Lazartigue (François Gabart and Tom Laperche) with Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (Charles Caudrelier & Erwan Israel) third overall, with the Ultims at the midway point of the race.
The second and third swapped over before rounding the islands of São Pedro and São Paulo as SVR Lazartigue took advantage of Maxi Edmond de Rothschild's speed dropping to 1.3kts while Gabart and Laperche took advantage of the separation and sped by sailing at speeds of close to 19kts.
Behind them Sodebo Ultim 3 (Thomas Colville & Thomas Rouxel) and Actual Ultim 3 (Anthony Marchand & Thierry Chabagny) are respectively 169nm and 216nm behind the race leader.
Two divisions have now started after being diverted to Lorient to await he passing of two storm systems which have battered western Europe.
This morning (Monday) at 10:30hrs, the six Ocean Fifty trimarans set off for the second phase of the race between Lorient and Fort de France, leaving the island of Sal (Cape Verde) to starboard. This 4,200 mile course will force the trimarans to aim far south as they exit the Bay of Biscay. Their speed will allow them to outrun a new front which arrives on Wednesday, but with winds of lesser strength than the two previous weather systems. Winds are expected to peak at 35kts with 4 metre seas.
Early leader is Solidares en Peloton.
In a second start at Monday at 10:45hrs, also from Lorient, the Class40s set off on a 3,750 mile course leaving the island of Madeira to starboard. This more direct route will force the monohulls to cross Wednesday's front, where they will have to negotiate the stronger winds, or find an easier path.
The early leader is Cafe Joyeux.
There are two official retirements in the Class40 category (Movember and Acrobatica). Three boats are under repair (Crédit Mutuel, Sogestrans-Seafrigo and Dékuple) and have expressed their intention to resume the race on Monday. The start line remains open for 72hrs to cope with any late starters.
On Tuesday, November 7 at 0930hrs, the 40 IMOCAs will set off from Le Havre. Their 3,750 mile route also plans to leave the island of Santa Maria (Azores) on the starboard side like the Class40s.
ETA arrival in Fort-de-France in Martinique of the four classes:
- ULTIM: between the evening of November 12 and the morning of November 13
- IMOCA: November 17
- Ocean Fifty: November 18
- Class40: November 22