Nothing left to go, Brit Air nears the line

News

February 07. 2009 at 07:53
Nothing left to go, Brit Air nears the line
© MARC GUILLEMOT / SAFRAN / Vendée Globe

In terms of the overall Vendée Globe course Armel Le Cléac’h was but a stone’s throw from this finish this morning, 20 miles to go at 0600hrs GMT and set to celebrate a great second place, a reward for a prudent and patient race, sailing within his capabilities when the going was tough and never pushing too hard to endanger himself or BritAir, a strategy which has served him well over these final days in the teeth of north Atlantic gales and big seas.

 


Le Cléac’h has indicated he intends to cross the finish around 0900hrs this morning and then sail around in safe waters until his return down the famous canal where he will receive a big welcome this Saturday morning.

 

While Le Cléac’h will be in celebratory mood, back among his family, friends and team and no doubt enjoying his steack frites this morning, it will be less happy on board Roxy this morning where Sam Davies, GBR, is set to lose her third place as the strategy of Marc Guillemot pays a rich dividend on the north side of the Azores High. Roxy has had a slow, sticky night making just 1.5 knots at 2030hrs last night, two knots at 2230hrs with a spurt around 4 knots this morning around 0400hrs. Averaging less than a knot VMG Guillemot has been charging NE at more than 15 knots and should continue to see his margin increase through today. Guillemot is 500 miles west of the Azores this morning.

 

Brian Thompson has touched the SW corner of the high now and slowed dramatically, down to 1.5 knots for a spell and therefore losing miles to the chasing Dee Caffari. While Caffari is now less than 60 miles behind in terms of DTF, that margin is artificially enhanced by her more easterly position. Thompson has about 250 miles of pain to get across the light winds gulf to the oxygen of the SW’lies, and the high is moving SE, but Caffari may gain some miles with her more easterly track.

 

Otherwise it is steady progress for Arnaud Boissières due west of the Cape Verde islands making 11-12 knots averages, similar speeds to Steve White on Toe in the Water behind him. Rich Wilson has slowed making 6-7 knots in the inconsistent ‘Rio doldrums’ while Norbert Sedlacek, passing 30 miles east of East Falkland island and Raphael Dinelli in 11th and 10th respectively are both making averages around 5 to 6 knots.