The first night of the race was obviously not easy for Boris Herrmann. After a good start to the race, he slowly fell behind with the first reef and a smaller headsail, and was only 15th at the prescribed course mark at Cap Frehel. After that, the leading group around favourite Charly Dalin opted for a course close to shore, probably to have less headwind. Herrmann sailed as one of the most northerly boats in the English Channel. He stayed on this route until the field turned south off the designated sea area near the island of Quessant, only turning off very late and falling further behind.
Although the ranking should be treated with caution at the moment, as it tracks the great circle route to Guadeloupe, it has to be said that he has lost further ground and is currently in 19th place. The gap of around three miles to the leader Dalin with his "Apivia" yesterday evening has already grown to over 30 miles.
And then there was already the first drama in the Open 60s field tonight: the Japanese Kojiro Shiraishi collided with Oliver Heer's boat at night, apparently a classic port before starboard situation in which the Japanese was probably the boat that had to get out of the way. Both returned to St Malo, but the Japanese team has since announced that the damage is so severe that the Route du Rhum is over for him. It is not yet clear whether Heer will be able to continue sailing.
The race is probably also over for Ultim skipper Romain Pilliard, who was travelling with Ellen Mac Arthur's ex-"B&Q" as the smallest boat in the class. He mixed up the colour of a buoy at night and rammed another one on his course line. The buoy destroyed part of the crash box on the bow and then also tore out part of the net between the hulls. He escaped to Roscoff and will try to repair the boat. According to the regulations, the skippers have until Saturday to do this and can then return to the race.
The injury to Brit Sam Goodchild, who was taken off his Ocean 50 Tri "Leyton" yesterday due to an injury, also appears to be serious. According to initial information, one of his winches was smashed under heavy load and hit him in the face and arm. He is now in hospital in St Malo.
Dispute over time penalties for early starts
The time penalties for early starts, which the jury handed out to various skippers, including two top favourites in the Ultim and Class 40 classes, are still a big issue today. Charles Caudrelier was one of the top favourites in the Ultim with his "Edmond de Rothschild" and crossed the line too early, as did Yoann Richomme with his "Arkea Paprec". But while Richomme accepted the penalty without complaint and stopped the imposed four hours yesterday in front of the gate at Cape Frehel or sailed in a circle, Caudrelier continued. His team has since lodged an appeal against the decision. The race jury now wants to read out the GPS data from the two buoys on the start line and compare it with the boat's tracker. It will be announced by tomorrow whether the penalty will stand or be cancelled.
Caudrelier is currently almost 30 miles ahead of Armel Le Cléac'h's "Banque Populaire". As the latter is travelling at around 26 knots, he would easily fall 70 miles behind in four hours. The organisers have not yet made it clear how and when the penalty will be assessed. Does it have to be paid immediately, or can he choose a time during the race? This was the case at the Vendée Globe 2020, when Louis Burton made a premature start and was then forced to retire a little later on the Atlantic in a calm zone. Caudrelier could plan something similar once the storm front that is approaching the field has passed.
One of the favourites in the Ultim class was also unlucky: Armel Le Cleac'h reported from his tri "Banque Populaire" at midday today that he heard a loud crash, but without a noticeable blow, i.e. without a collision. The centreboard and foil of the main hull appear to be broken and he is returning to his team's base in Lorient.
The live video broadcast of the start on the internet yesterday was a feast for the eyes for fans. It was impressive to see how the Ultims ploughed through the English Channel at speeds of over 26 knots on the wind. And amazing how the boats, which looked so fast, then parked at the turn at Cape Frehel. Thomas Coville even messed up the tack with his "Sodebo" and lost a lot of valuable time while his boat stood still for several minutes.
In the Open 60s, the usual pecking order was established soon after the start: Charlie Dalin took the lead with his "Apivia" and has so far controlled the field with aplomb. As usual, Thomas Ruyant with "Linked Out" and Louis Burton on his "Bureau Valleé" are hot on his heels. It was already clear to see yesterday how much better the newer designs such as "Holcim" or Boris Herrmann's boat with its raised bow sections went through the waves than the older boats.
The strongest newcomers in the Imoca field are Jérémy Beyou's "Charal" and Kevin Escoffier's "Holcim", who are practically on a par. The German-French Isabelle Joschke also came through the first night very well, coming in 13th place with her "MACSF" as the best woman. Sam Davies, sailing her brand new "Initiatives Cœr", is currently sailing a course extremely close to shore. The Swiss Justine Mettraux with her new "Teamworks" (Jérémy Beyou's ex-"Charal") is also doing well in the southern chasing pack.
Over the course of the next night, the field will be passed from the west by a storm front that is expected to bring gusts of up to 40 knots. The boats, which have positioned themselves close to the mainland and to the south, try to avoid it.
