| Mini update |
Corentin Douguet still retains a slim led in the Transat 6.50 Charente-Maritime/Bahia sailing his Manuard-designed E.LeClerc/Bouygues Telecom.
Overnight Sabastien Gladu on Armor Lux in second place has closed the gap to just under a mile, while British sailor Phil Sharp on Le Gallais holds third place, 25 miles astern. The immediate concern for Sharp, right now, is Yves Le Blevec on Dephemerid'eux who's just three miles behind.
The general northerly wind since last Saturday's start has allowed the fleet to exploit their downwind tactics and, for those sailing fast, beamy downwind flyers, to monopolise on the conditions. The northerly wind direction has remained fairly stable since the start and although it has tracked from east to north and back, it now seems to be heading round to the north-east and has dropped to 10kts.
In an effort to protect his lead, Douguet is on a mission to keep cover on Gladu. He's currently on a starboard gybe heading west and should, if he stays in the band of breeze, cross gybes with Gladu within the next hour.
Nick Bubb, British sailor aboard Whittlebury Hall, is still struggling to free himself from the pack and now in 16th place is more than 80 miles behind Douguet. French sailor Tanguy De Lamotte was in a similar situation to Bubb, stuck in the middle of the fleet in 26th place but, having rounded Cape Finisterre, went on a flyer out to the west, well off the rhumb line. This risky but wise decision allowed De Lamotte to sail round the majority of the fleet and end up, yesterday, in sixth. Overnight he's lost a couple of places but he's definitely one to watch out for on the approach to the finish line.
Testing conditions the last five days may have been, but for one sailor, Arezki Boudaoud currently in 53rd position sailing Magnan Super Calin Series design, there's still been enough time to enjoy the good things in life, commenting: "It's a tough race but I'm making sure I look after myself. Yesterday evening I made a salad with tomatoes, sweet pepper, olives and olive oil. For me it's important to ensure you get good food while sailing such a taxing race. Everything is well out here. I've had a few small moment of depression when there is a problem with navigation or of material which breaks but most of the time I'm happy.
"The best part of the race so far was yesterday after I rounded Cape Finisterre. The boat was under pilot when a band of dolphin appeared. It was amazing, they were playing with the hull, turning around the boat. It was one exceptional moment where one feels in total harmony with his boat, the sea and all the elements."
The current estimated time of arrival of the first boats in Lanzarote is Saturday morning which means a record time of less than seven days from La Rochelle.
Sue Pelling/Yachting World, 22 September 2005
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