Two days after the dramatic start in Kiel, the ideal conditions for high-speed foiling in the Baltic Sea have given way to light winds. A high-pressure ridge slowed down the quintet remaining in the race. On Tuesday morning, Paul Meilhat's Team Biotherm was still in the lead, having already scored two bonus points shortly after the start in Kiel as the fastest boat at the first scoring gate.
Ocean Race Europe: "Biotherm" remains in front
Behind them, Yoann Richomme and his crew on "Paprec Arkéa" kept up the pace, but were ultimately a good twelve nautical miles behind the leader. The two French boats were followed by Boris Herrmann's team Malizia after the second night at sea. The Malizians were just under 20 nautical miles behind the leaders. Both "Paprec Arkéa" and "Malizia - Seaexplorer" have lost a few nautical miles to the light wind rocket "Biotherm" in the last few hours. Click here for the live tracker.
More than 40 nautical miles behind "Biotherm", Scott Shawyer's Canadian team Be Water Positive struggled to catch up. Alan Roura's Team Amaala continued to bring up the rear on Tuesday morning, more than 70 nautical miles behind the leading boat. All five teams are having to deal intensively with the light winds. Christian Dumard is the meteorological advisor for the Ocean Race Europe and said: "The area of high pressure has expanded."
Dumard explained in detail: "As the boats head south, the westerly wind drops." Ocean Race winner and "Biotherm" sailor Jack Bouttell described the last 24 hours as intense: "After we passed Denmark, we had to do a lot of manoeuvres, which was very exhausting. The wind died down last night, but we got through a little faster than the route planning had predicted."
A little nap after a tough fight
Team Amaala's skipper Alan Roura, whose young team will have to attack from behind on this first leg of the Ocean Race Europe, said. "We have to get out of this transition zone, even though it's never easy, especially with the short wave we have here."
Team Malizia's former teammate Christopher Pratt reported from the Canadian boat: "After the turning manoeuvres along Denmark, this section is not brutal, but it's still enough to shake everyone up. But the advantage of the low speeds and overall calmer seas is that you can have a good nap in the light breeze after a tough battle!"
Despite the slow progress, the mood is good. Pratt said: "We are learning to trim and handle the boat together, but we are very happy with the first part of the race. The atmosphere on board is great. We sail seriously but keep a friendly and happy spirit and enjoy doing what we love together."
Ocean Race Europe: Harris looks ahead
This was also confirmed by Jack Bouttell, who said: "Everyone gets on well, we joke and laugh. It's really nice. Yesterday we even had a beautiful sunset with dolphins." The wind is also expected to pick up again soon and shift to the south-east, which could possibly send the fleet on a space wind route towards the English coast.
"Depending on the models, we have to choose the sails carefully - some angles are more semi-windward, others more downwind," explained Bouttell earlier this morning. "In about 100 miles we reach the first traffic separation areas where the course options are more limited. There are still many miles to sail - and a lot can happen between now and the finish."
Team Malizia's British co-skipper Will Harris knows this only too well. The final section of the first leg along the English coast in particular has a few pitfalls in store and can still bring changes in positions. Harris says: "It can be very complicated with the current and the winds. I know this section to the Isle of Wight well. It can be difficult there."
The talk about the Ocean Race Europe
From 13 August, NDR will be reporting live every week from Boris Herrmann, Team Malizia and their competitors in the Ocean Race Europe. The first talk with presenter Sven Kaulbars and expert Tim Kröger starts here on Wednesday at 12.55 pm.
"Biotherm" impressions from the sea, when the wind made the front runner and her pursuers rush through the North Sea:
A look back at day 1 on board the "Malizia - Seaexplorer":
