The rumour of the last few days originated on the sailing website "Sailing Anarchy": A video conversation between the race management and Alex Thomson was first published there, then removed, in which the race management almost insistently asks whether Thomson has a spare foil on board. Thomson initially tried to talk his way out of it, but the race organisers persistently asked again and again until the Briton replied annoyed: "No comment!" The rumour arose because a member of Thomson's team allegedly said that the Briton had a spare blade on board.
But that turned out to be a press hoax yesterday: In an almost 30-minute phone call that "Sailing Anarchy" had with Thomson via satellite phone, he said: "We don't have a spare foil on board! It weighs over 140 kilos and is an enormously bulky component. Where would I stow it below deck? And then get it on deck and thread it into the opening?" ( Click here for the interview)
Anything else would have been surprising, given the effort the teams put in to save every kilo of weight. Thomson would also have to carry two foils - as they are shaped like wings, they cannot simply be switched from one side of the ship to the other like rudder blades. In addition, the appendages are well over four metres long. However, Thomson admits that his boat is the only one on which the foils can be changed via an opening on deck; all other teams have to do this from the outside using a crane.
However, it is pleasing to see that even without the centreboard he can keep up with Armel Le Cléac'h's speed, who overtook Thomson at the start of the week. The gap between the two is just under 13 miles, having grown to 25 at times. "Hugo Boss" and "Banque Populaire V" are currently continuing to outpace the field south of a depression at a good speed of over 20 knots.
This is particularly bitter for the Frenchman Sébastien Josse, who has lost the connection for the time being with his "Edmond de Rothschild". Josse had to repair his rudder at the weekend after colliding with flotsam and lost 70 miles in the process. For this reason, he missed the next low that the leaders are currently "riding out". Josse is now over 600 nautical miles behind and is still travelling almost six knots slower.
Behind him, the trio of Jérémie Beyou ("Maitre Coc"), Paul Meilhat ("SMA") and Yann Elieès ("Queguiner Leucémie") are gradually closing the gap. The gap is 500 miles, but the chasers are getting wind from astern, which could bring them even closer over the next few days.
Another 600 miles behind them are another trio, who now have to hope for a small weather miracle to have a chance of winning the race: Jean-Pierre Dick's "St Michel Virbac", Thomas Ruyant with "Le Souffle du Nord" and Jean Le Cam on "Finisterre Mer Vent". As long as the leaders don't park in some high-pressure area and the chasers come up from behind with the next low, it will be difficult to get ahead.
A remarkable skipper further back in the field has been providing great pictures from on board for days: Conrad Coleman. The 32-year-old with a US and New Zealand passport sent pictures from a doldrums diving expedition to the keel and rudder to check the technology of his "Foresight Natural Energy". He also has a drone on board, which he used to photograph his Open 60 under sail. Coleman sails a boat that is actually barely competitive, which two Brazilians built themselves eleven years ago for a Transat. This was followed by an unfortunate participation in the Vendée in 2008, where the boat retired early with technical problems. Since then, it has only been used as a charter boat for incentives. In view of these conditions, 13th place is a minor miracle, as Coleman can compete with much newer boats with an excellent performance. He is a thoroughbred professional who fulfils his sailing dreams without financially strong sponsors behind him. Most recently, he took part in the Barcelona Wolrd Race with Nandor Fa on his completely immature boat and finished it, despite huge technical problems.
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
