Arkea Ultim Challenge-Brest, in search of the trade winds

The first ULTIMS on the ARKÉA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest are past the latitude of the Cape Verde islands and Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) is back in the lead. In fifth Anthony Marchand (Ultim Actual 3 at 156 miles behind and sixth placed Éric Péron (ULTIM ADAGIO) at almost 300 miles, see their deficits unchanged.   

The battle continues but it is much less intense than the 48 hours. This morning, Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) was progressing at 14 knots, in second Tom Laperche (SVR Lazartigue, 2nd) at 12 knots and all making 'cruising speeds' less than half of what they were doing yesterday .

"Last night not much happened," smiles race director Guillaume Rottee. "Since yesterday, it's been a straight course which should take down them into the trade winds".  

The moderate conditions should allow the skippers to make a full check of their boats over the course of the day and deal with any small damages or maintenance needing done.

Perhaps that is what Armel Le Cléac'h was doing around 0530hrs this morning. The skipper of the Maxi Banque Populaire XI was moving at a reduced speed (5.6 knots) much less than the 25 knots that Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim 3) was doing. Coville, indeed, has moved up to third "We have not received a call from the Banque Populaire team yet about this slowdown," confides Rottee at 0600hrs this morning. Le Cléac'h  has subsequently picked up speed and was doing 18kts at 0700hrs still slowed compared to Laperche and Coville.

Charles Caudrelier and Tom Laperche have gybed. After bypassing the large windless zone to the south of the depression, they are heading south. "The depression has shaken up everything a bit, which explains why the trade winds are now south and west of Cape Verde. They should hit them at the end of the day." Enough to benefit from stronger winds, around 15 to 20 knots, and to head to the Equator, which they should pass during the night from Saturday to Sunday for the first skippers." Concludes Rottee