The scenes were as moving as ever: more than 300,000 fans lined the harbour channel of Les Sables d' Olonne as the 29 starters slowly set off towards the open sea. Cheers erupted every time a boat passed. One or two skippers must have shed a tear when they saw their family and team on the pontoon or shore for the last time for what will probably be almost 80 days. Then it was off to the start in perfect weather with some sunshine and 14 knots of north-easterly wind. Not that this was particularly important in a race around the world, but nevertheless a welcome opportunity to put himself in the spotlight once again in front of the spectators (...and sponsors). Vincent Riou, who was in the lead but was soon overtaken by Sébastien Josse's foiler "Edmond de Rothschild", did particularly well.
The replay of the start is available here:
Spaniard Didac Costa was unlucky when he suddenly came to a halt in the wind shortly after the start, his sails dying and he stood in the cockpit somewhat perplexed. The race organisers announced shortly afterwards: The 35-year-old is returning to the starting harbour due to technical problems and wants to attempt a repair. It was not yet clear exactly what the problem was.
The field is now sailing into the first night, which, with 20 to 22 knots of rough wind and gusts of up to 35 knots, should bring ideal conditions for an arrow-fast passage southwards. The boats will pass Cape Finisterre on Monday morning. It will be a race against the weather, as the Azores High is slowly building up a high pressure channel towards Gibraltar and the African mainland, which must be passed if possible before parking in the low wind zone.
In the first few hours, Vincent Riou's "PRB" easily matched the speed of the foilers of Sébastien Josse ("Edmond de Rothschild") and Jean-Pierre Dick ("St. Michel-Virbac"). It will be interesting to see whether the first night with more wind will bring the advantage that the foilers are hoping for on rough courses with this wind strength.
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
