A few days ago, Basile Bourgnon spoke of the Transat Paprec as a "major stage of La Solitaire du Figaro". A way of evoking the relentless battle, the competitors who don't let go and the fact of playing one's position on the smallest detail. The observation is more true than ever this Wednesday morning as the race leader passed the symbolic bar of 500 miles remaining to go.
Despite the long port tack until the finish, most of them made small shifts to starboard during the night, "shifts of finesse" according to Francis Le Goff, the Race Director. Everyone is concentrating mainly on the squalls to benefit from them (and take advantage of accelerations) and above all not to be slowed down. "The situation with the squalls is not dangerous but it can make a difference, by accelerating or getting stuck", emphasizes Francis.
"The fleet is closing in"
Above all, we are seeing a narrowing of the gaps, "the fleet is closing in" admits the Race Director. The first three are within 3.5 miles, the first five within 15 miles! Gaston Morvan and Anne-Claire Le Berre (Région Bretagne – CMB Performance) who took the lead of the race yesterday, are still leading. But behind them, things are getting closer: Mutuelle Bleue (Corentin Horeau – Pauline Courtois) is 2 miles behind, Skipper MACIF (Loïs Berrehar – Charlotte Yven) 3.5 miles behind!
Positioned further south, Région Normandie (Guillaume Pirouelle – Sophie Faguet, 4th) and Cap Ingélec (Camille Bertel – Pierre Leboucher, 5th) are lying in wait, 12 miles and 15 miles away respectively. "There are five boats that can claim victory again," assures Francis. They haven't let go since the start!"
EDENRED's option, the match at the back of the fleet
50 miles lateral to the leader and 36 miles on the direct route, Basile Bourgnon and Violette Dorange (EDENRED) are making progress in their South option even if they didn't manage to hit stronger winds than their rivals last night. "It was relevant to look for a gap, they needed to make a difference. They're not far from the first to finish on some routings so it's still very interesting. They're right to believe in it", assures Francis Le Goff.
At the back of the fleet, the match is still just as intense between Race for Science - Verder (Alicia De Pfyffer - Édouard Golbery, 10th) and Groupe Helios - Du Léman à l'Océan (Arnaud Machado - Lucie Queruel, 11th). Long time supporters of a very southern route, Arnaud and Lucie have gybed and are now getting closer to the direct route…. And therefore to Alicia and Édouard. “It shows that there is room for non-professional projects. They are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon and they are both motivated”. This morning, they are only 80 miles behind and their duel continues.
