La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 2 - Day 3 - photo © Laure Galley
If Adrien Hardy (Sans Nature, pas de Futur !) had been told he would gain 33 places in the standings within 24 hours, he probably would have signed up for it blindfolded. After a long stretch sailing along the coastline, consistently positioned furthest east in the fleet, he headed further north during the morning, accelerating and taking the outside route. A smart tactical move that allowed him to lead the chasing pack ahead of Léo Bothorel (Decathlon) and Marie Gendron (Kereis SNCF Voyageurs), but above all to seize the overall lead.
Within this group, speeds are increasing and some solo sailors are now sailing at more than 8.5 knots, including Tiphaine Ragueneau (ORCOM), Erica Lush (Hope) and Eliaz Morineau (Demain sans HPV), who are currently positioned between the two groups. Sometimes, you have to accept losing in order to win later, and that saying has never rung truer.
In Nicolas Lunven’s group (PRB), although the sailor is producing a magnificent race, the penalties are beginning to hit and the provisional overall standings are being shaken up. Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), who had been well placed since the start, is now down in 23rd position. Everyone knows these rankings remain highly uncertain and do not yet reflect the final outcome. The standings will continue to evolve throughout the day, but deep down, losing around fifteen places in one go is tough mentally. The key is to stay motivated, trust instinct and experience, and focus on sailing the best possible route.
At the midday ranking update, seven sailors from the southern group entered the Top 10. It is a fascinating leaderboard that shows how, in these changing weather conditions, every skipper has a chance and persistence is often rewarded. Alongside Adrien Hardy, Léo Bothorel (3rd), Marie Gendron (4th), Hugo Le Clech on Mieux (5th) has made an impressive comeback, as have Ellie Driver on STEM on the Startline (6th) and Oliver Hill on Nautica by Ollie Hill Racing (7th). Tom Dolan on Kingspan and Paul Morvan on Foricher – French Touch have managed to hold their course. Finally, Eliaz Morineau on Demain sans HPV, positioned between the two groups, sits in 10th place.
A full spectrum of weather conditions
From glassy calms to thunderstorms, from squalls to fog, the 35 solo sailors competing in this second leg have not been spared. Every weather system brings its share of complications, manoeuvres and constant vigilance. At present, the entire fleet is benefiting from a westerly flow of around ten knots. The sailors must quickly stretch their stride to gain the crucial miles needed for the next positioning phase. Although conditions continue to evolve hour by hour, the broader forecasts predict very little wind along the Atlantic seaboard. Patience is essential, such are the rules of solo offshore racing.
Léo Bothorel (Decathlon)
“I decided to put a bit more north into my route and it’s working pretty well. The speed is good and it feels strange to see the other boats back on AIS. Last night under the thunderstorms was still pretty complicated though. It was almost impossible to sleep, I was really close to breaking point. We’re happy the wind has settled in a little.
In any case, it’s much more enjoyable sailing like this than during the first leg.
On the other hand, it’s still quite unpredictable and things are going to shift again now that we’ve rejoined the others.”
Paul Morvan (Foricher-French Touch)
“Things aren’t too bad. I managed to get a few good naps, which was essential because I was really close to the edge, I was in a bad way. I think we’re all like that, and I even saw Arno falling asleep at the helm.
What’s a bit frustrating is seeing the other group do pretty well closer to the land, but there’s still a long way to go. We stayed offshore, there’s wind and we’re moving along, so it’s not that bad.
I didn’t have hallucinations, but I really struggled to understand what was happening and how to position myself. The wind was shifting everywhere and I couldn’t work out which heading I should take.
I wasn’t expecting to catch up with the others here, nor this soon. We had worked on it with the training centre and, weather-wise, I thought offshore was definitely the place to be, certainly not where they were.
Still, I’m very satisfied because my group includes the race favourites. I managed to sail well with them and really battle hard.
There are still two days left to try and close the gap to the second pack, but for now I’m already pleased with the great fight I’ve managed to put up with my fellow sailors since the start of the race.”
Arno Biston (Article.1)
“I had actually got off to a pretty good start in the thunderstorms. I’d managed to come out on top for a while, and then fate decided otherwise. I blew my big spinnaker completely in two. I’m trying to repair it onboard but it’s not easy. I’ve been working on it for two hours now.
We’ll try to get back to the same speed as our friends who played it very well. They’ve gone all the way around the parish, that’s the game. You have to accept it.”
by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
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