Fuente info Transat 6.50
October 09. 2009
Jibes game aproaching Cape Verde
Second key points after the Canaries in the second stage of The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50, here are the islands of Cape Verde. Solitary lands with five northernmost islands, the islands of Barlavento and five more South, those of Sotavento. The skippers will go - waypoint requires – in between the most West Santo Antao and most East Maio. But where to go? Previous editions have shown that the best way is located between Sao Vicente and Sao Nicolau. Will it be the same this time? Still, Bertrand Delesne (Entreprendre Durablement) did not seem to hesitate. He rushes west. Shortly before the start off Funchal, the present leader and winner of the first stage for prototype class, confessed: "Having already done the race is an obvious advantage. I would be more worried if I had not done it yet. Now I know where I go.” Bertrand must remember because yesterday, he had gone more east that his mates and he couldn’t have done that without purpose.
Jibes duel...
The pursuers are still the same three: HP Schipman (Maisons de l’Avenir Urbatys) on his Plan Lombard that he built himself, Thomas Ruyant (Faber France) and his Finot Conq excellent downwind and Fabien Desprès (Soitec) and his Plan De Beaufort "on which I feel perfectly well" he loves to reiterate. Three sailors, three architects in pursuit of the fourth a plan Manuard. Exciting... But Bertrand does not currently appear to be best positioned at the approach of Cape Verde islands. The western trio can hope him to "go straight". Will this be be enough to take back the 18 to 30 nautical miles granted by Bertrand? To be continued. Playing the role of hunters, we find Nicolas Boidevezi (Défi GDE) continues his slope. But he too did not seem to be in a straight line on Cape Verde. A straight route followed by the South African Matt Trautman (Mini Mac) that could come back in the game with a lot of assets out of these islands. We know he is pugnacious, petulant, and never gives up. Matt demonstrates it once again. Others know some misfortune as Stéphane Le Diraison (Cultisol-Marins sans Frontières). Leader for several days, Stéphane has diminished the tempo for the past two days. He must have been some technical problem.
Lobato, Del Zozzo: The come back!
About Series class, Charlie Dalin (Cherche sponsor-charliedalin.com) also goes rectilinearly towards Cape Verde. He certainly has a little less pressure in the sails than the Italian Ricardo Apolloni (Ma Vie pour Mapeï)) but he is still 25 nm ahead and Ricardo will also jibe and head south to reach Cape Verde.
The objectiv is to avoid the windfall of Fogo’s island and Mount Fogo – 3000 m - that caused many troubles in the past to those who had got a little too close. The Portuguese Francisco Lobato (ROFF-TMN) knows it. He has just completed a spectacular come back from the 16th to the 4th place ranking in 36 hours. His option is near the coast of Mauritania, has paid back. And the winner is the first step is not alone with the solid Luca Del Zozzo (Corradi). Superb option for the Italian-Portuguese duet! Note, the almost perfect race done by Henry Meyniel (Bévéac Consulting). He is certainly slower than his rivals Lobato and Del Zozzo, although he seems to be better positioned than them. The next hour will be difficult for everyone, especially as the trade winds will soften at the approach of islands and sometimes will change direction.
