Ultim Challenge - Brest, Peron pressing in the Pacific

A long way from the ARKÉA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest race's top three who are continuing to make progress northwards in the Atlantic, Éric Péron in fifth place is racing at the leading edge of a fast moving front which is allowing him to make good speeds in the heart of the Pacific.

He spoke last night of a turbo power which is boosting him towards Cape Horn. Meanwhile in the Atlantic Armel Le Cléac'h has opened his lead on Thomas Coville by a few more miles. And leader Charles Caudrelier is closing the Equator.

Fifth placed Éric Péron, on ULTIM ADAGIO is the only skipper to have started on a non-foiling ULTIM, the least powerful, oldest boat in the race is having some of his best times in the depths of the Pacific. He made an average of 25 knots over the last 24 hours and a good 24.5 knots at 0700hrs UTC this morning.

"I've had peaks of more than 35 knots. We're in the warm front and there is this mist of the furious fifties. On an Archimedean boat, you have to put in a consistent commitment to go for these higher speeds! It's not easy, it's not comfortable, but I am lucky to be in front of this warm front which pushes me eastwards with strong winds and decent seas".

Maintaining these speeds will be the challenge in the coming days.for Péron who is still 3000 miles from Cape Horn

"The idea for him is to hold on to this weather phenomenon and stay near the front of it because: it will be a good booster to get towards Cape Horn. He has to take care of the boat because the conditions are quite strong and they also put a lot of strain on the sailor too. It's not easy to always be on the alert as you need to be. There's some wind but the boat is making good progress," says Guillaume Evrard of Race Direction. "Éric is in a westerly and northwesterly flow with 20 to 25 knots of wind, always ahead of the front, which allows him to have a more orderly  sea (2.5 m of swell). His challenge is how long he will be able to stay at the front of the front."

The choice of "Antho", the duo Armel-Thomas

More than 1,100 miles away to Péron's east, in fourth Anthony Marchand is closing in on Point Nemo.

"There is still a question mark over the tropical depression that is coming into his path from Cape Horn around February 18. He would have to choose today whether to cross it or wait to let it pass, says Evrard "If 'Antho' decides to go into battle with it  he will round Cape Horn around next Tuesday, maybe Wednesday "

In much warmer temperatures in the Atlantic, Armel Le Cléac'h in second and third placed Thomas Coville are still sailing up the South American coast. "Armel is winding things up and has eased away a bit because he is in an easterly flow which was weak yesterday but is increasing in intensity today," explains Evrard. "Thomas is still struggling with the high pressure system and has been for several hours."

Indeed Sodebo Ultim 3 has not exceeded 10 knots in speed over the last 24 hours. "We'll have to wait for the high to shift eastwards." says Evrard.

Maxi Banque Populaire XI off the coast of Rio de Janeiro will have to deal with a depression at Cabo Frio this evening. "He's going to need to make some maneuvers to stay out of it." Evrard concludes.

Leader Caudrelier continues his march forward with his consistent attitude. He has just passed the latitude of Recife, 120 miles offshore.

"Charles is just south of the doldrums in a steady but light easterly trade wind. He should pass through between today and tomorrow. This Friday he should finally  arrive in the trade wind, which is more established and regular."

The skipper of Edmond de Rothschild is expected to cross the Equator tomorrow in the late morning or early afternoon.