Arkea Ultim Challenge: New rudder blades for Le Cléac'h, Caudrelier before the final week

"The goal is to finish. If we manage to start again, that will make up for the disappointment," explained Armel Le Cléac'h on his arrival in Rio de Janeiro. The 44-year-old former co-favourite for the historic premiere of the Arkea Ultim Challenge is struggling to get back into the race during his second repair stop of the solo round-the-world race in Rio de Janeiro. His team Banque Populaire is now confident that "Maxi Banque Populaire XI" can get back on course.

Arkea Ultim Challenge: Can Armel Le Cléac'h get back into the race today?

In an interview on the "Ultim Live" programme on Saturday afternoon, team director Ronan Lucas explained: "I am hopeful that Armel will be able to set off again. The team is in the process of transporting two rudder blades to the Brazilian harbour." Ronan Lucas continued: "These are big parts. It was not easy to get them to Brazil." He thanked the French Embassy in Brazil and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "for making the task easier".

Team Banque Populaire is currently working with all its might to repair the situation in Rio and hopes that Armel Le Cléac'h might be able to continue the race this Sunday. "If he wants to stay in the duel with Thomas Coville for second place, he has to be able to start today," race director Guillaume Rottée explained the scenario. Logically, the quicker he can get going again, the smaller the gap to "Sodebo Ultim 3" will be.

Caudrelier's final at the Arkea Ultim Challenge in sight

"Sodebo Ultim 3" skipper Thomas Coville has now taken over second place from Armel le Cléac'h and has already built up a lead of more than 250 nautical miles. After avoiding a small area of low pressure on his course past Rio de Janeiro, Coville is sailing towards the equator and should open the new week of the Arkea Ultim Challenge with trade winds. "However, these trade winds will not be so strong for the time being," said Guillaume Rottée. Thomas Coville could possibly cross the equator next Thursday.

One day later, according to current calculations, Charles Caudrelier is expected to cross the finish line off Brest towards the end of the week. However, the skipper of the "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild" remained deliberately cautious in his own predictions. "I only have one fear, namely that of a stop," he said on the "Ultim Live" programme. By this, Charles Caudrelier meant an involuntary interruption in the form of a collision or due to material breakage.

My boat is not perfect. I had some problems, which I will show you soon" (Charles Caudrelier)

"We deserve this race, but we also have to finish it," said Charles Caudrelier in an interview. He also said that he was living "with a sword of Damocles" and described his concerns in terms of "fatigue and wear and tear on the materials". Caudrelier explained: "My boat is not perfect. I had some problems that I will show you soon. I'm flying, but less well. The appendages are damaged, the aerodynamics are not perfect."

The caution with which Charles Caudrelier approaches his goal can be felt in his every word. "It's completely normal and doesn't surprise me at all," said Guillaume Rottée. You know that everything can tip over in a fraction of a second or even be over. "The race is only won when he crosses the finish line," said Guillaume Rottée. The risk of material damage is also increased by the fact that all the boats are "very exhausted". It should not be forgotten that the "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild" had never sailed for such a long period of time. Guillaume Rottée said: "We're talking about more than 40 days non-stop!"

Complicated final for Charles Caudrelier

Charles Caudrelier will approach his last week at sea with the necessary vigilance. The wind scenario will not make his approach to the finish any easier. Guillaume Rottée said Caudrelier would have to deal with "complicated weather before arrival" in his final race in the Arkea Ultim Challenge. The 49-year-old Gitana team skipper is likely to have to deal with strong winds from the north-west.

The "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild" skipper himself spoke of "a Bay of Biscay with eight metres of swell and 40 knots of wind". He announced that he would not actively seek out the stormy winds. He could even wait for the low-pressure area to pass him by. Just like he did once before off Cape Horn.

Caudrelier's agony of choice: low in the west or Azores high?

Guillaume Rottée described the "trap" that could open up for Caudrelier as follows: "The Azores High is blocking its path and there are areas of low pressure to its north. Either it crosses the high by the shortest route, but has no wind, or it bypasses it in the west, which will bring it closer to the areas of low pressure that are particularly strong at this time of year." These prospects could make Charles Caudrelier decide to slow down his pace on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Thousands of nautical miles further west, Anthony Marchand ("Actual Ultim 3") and Éric Péron ("Ultim Adagio") continue their Pacific duel for fourth place. Pursuer Éric Péron continues to benefit from more favourable conditions because he is sailing in front of a front, while Anthony Marchand is approaching Cape Horn in calmer winds. As a result, "Ultim Adagio" is currently able to constantly reduce the gap to "Actual Ultim 3". In relation to the direct course line, the two boats are only separated by around 600 nautical miles. The gap should therefore continue to shrink for the time being, even if "Actual Ultim 3" can probably accelerate again as it approaches Cape Horn.

Click here to go directly to the live tracker of the Arkea Ultim Challenge at Yacht online.

What the skippers say at sea - pictures and comments from the "Ultim Live" programme from 17 February: