| Mini update |
The situation is not looking too bright for British Mini sailor Nick Bubb on Whittlebury Hall who is still struggling to re-join the pack following a tactical decision to head west on a flier soon after the second leg start last Saturday from Lanzarote.
Bubb (pitured left), who was joined by fellow British sailor Phil Sharp and Frenchman Jaime Mumbru, decided to head out in search of more favourable conditions away from the African coast and then tack back onto a southerly heading as he was headed. The situation then changed allowing those inshore to benefit from the building Trade Winds east leaving the trailing trio to wallow in their wake. This morning Bubb is still lying 68th with Mumbru about 30 miles ahead in 65th.
Sharp, however, who showed his true speed potential on the first leg when he finished in fourth place has, over the last two days, managed to make his way back from a devastating 57th position up to 39th, and is now rapidly heading south to rejoin the pack.
At the top of the fleet it's no great surprise that race favourite, Corentin Douget aboard E.LeClerc/Bouygues Telecom is leading the 70-boat fleet. He took the lead on Monday night and, although there's still not much between him and Stanislas Maslard on Credit Agricole Skipper Challenge, he's starting to increase his lead as he heads slightly further west.
Peter Laureyssen on his Finot-designed Pogo 2 Wellments is leading the Series fleet in a respectable 18th position and is now about 20 miles ahead of his nearest rival David Augeix on NACL. Lauryssen, who won the first leg from La Rochelle to Lanzarote, is continuing to sail true to form having gained two places overnight.
Sue Pelling/Yachting World, 12 October 2005
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