Here are the latest ETAs from Richard Silvani of Météo France based on the weather charts from 00h00 on Monday 9th February. These times indicated in GMT may change as the high pressure area heads up over the Bay of Biscay.
- Safran: dependent on the speed she can sail at
- Roxy: between 12h00 on Thursday and 18h00 on Friday 13th February
- Pindar, Aviva: between 12h00 on Monday 16th and 12h00 on Wednesday 18th.
- Akena: between 00h00 on Thursday 19th and 00h00 on Saturday 21st.
Marc Guillemot’s Safran was not identified in the 10h00 rankings, but we do know he is heading towards the finish at 7-8 knots. He is currently 680 miles west of Cape Finisterre. He should reappear in the rankings at 15h00 this afternoon.
“Working very hard to get upwind and to where we would have a favorable wind angle. It is still far off, but we did get a good lift yesterday evening up to steering N for a while. Another low out of Rio will squeeze the isobars in an unfavorable direction though, so we will get headed as we head up and therefore into the coast. Will push it as long as possible, maybe we can get a break. A tack offshore may be necessary, but it seems a very bad angle now for sure. Staysail and 2 reefs in the main, down from solent and 1 reef, and the boat does the same speed and angle with only a change of a few knots of windspeed.”
Rich Wilson (Great American III) in his daily message
Paprec-Virbac 2, Jean-Pierre Dick’s boat has been loaded aboard a cargo vessel in Malaysia and is now heading for Le Havre.
The skipper from Nice retired from the race on 31st December after his port rudder was ripped off when he collided with a UFO, shortly after passing New Zealand. This weekend, Jean-Pierre was present in les Sables d'Olonne to welcome Armel Le Cléac'h.
“Today I have had four seasons in one day or it certainly feels like it. At dawn we were slow, trying to make the best of the breeze and it wasn't quite as the grib files suggested so I had to be patient. Then during the afternoon the sun was glorious and I sat outside and enjoyed it as we went along downwind. I knew the wind was to come forward on us and in anticipation I changed my headsail. Then whilst down below the wind did a quick 180 degrees and rather than being at 20 knots rose to 35 knots with a sea state to match. Now I had a bit on and got thoroughly drowned in the process. So now I find myself sat in a northerly wind that has a rough sea state and a grey miserable sky to match. The wind strength is very up and down but I am now cautious as my main sail doesn't like these conditions very much and the fibres are getting close to giving out, so I have to think big picture of getting to the finish line.”
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message yesterday evening
“Today has been a full-on and fun day on the water! The wind gradually built all day, in the afternoon we had 35 knots of wind. The waves have become very difficult as Roxy and I have been passing over various banks and shelves around the Azores islands. By the end of the afternoon, we were being attacked by giant breaking waves coming from different directions, coupled with a wind reaching 40 knots. The result was a few "wipeouts" caused by the breakers, plus several "fill-ups" of the cockpit, the waves also managed to open a spinlock clutch (!), and very nearly tore away my lifebuoy! Now, the front is passing over us, with frequent 45-knot squalls, for a while we sailed under a 3-reefed main alone! I have gybed and Roxy is sneaking past just a few miles to the South of Terceira. I can see the lights of the towns on the island, and I can smell the land! It is the first time I have seen civilization since leaving Les Sables d'Olonne three months ago! I have to keep going back on deck to have another look, but then I see the huge scary waves in the moonlight and decide I'm better off inside! Hopefully the sea state and wind will calm down soon so that I can put a bit more sail up and speed up a bit, but for now it is "sail safe" mode on board Roxy!”
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
