This sixth day of racing in the brand-new CIC MED CHANNEL RACE will see the first arrivals in the sunny bay of Marseille for the Class40 fleet. Leading the way, of course, is the pair of the week, CREDIT MUTUEL (No. 158) versus CENTRAKOR (No. 183); Despite following closely behind and marking each other on the same route, the Franco-Italian team of Ian Lipinski and Alberto Bona managed to extend their advantage overnight, a 6-mile gap this morning, which should normally pave the way to victory and avoid last-minute stress. However, this sentence will remain conditional, as ocean racing has seen many twists and turns. The arrival is therefore expected at this time around 1:00 PM for the first in the bay, the second about 45 minutes later.
75 and 120 miles behind the two brilliant teams, who are racing solo from Sardinia, are Mathieu Claveau and Victoire Berger on PRENDRE LA MER – AGIR POUR LA FORÊT (No. 89), who have had a magnificent race, with a podium finish likely for a first-generation Class40. Chris Kerl and Patrice Pou-Pupp – AQUAMARIN (No. 135) also managed to hold their own in the first few days before the famous “trap” of Spargi Island in Sardinia: arrivals are likely in the late afternoon (6:00 PM?) and the first part of the night (11:00 PM / midnight?).
Next comes the group of six pursuers who, since their release from the Sardinian prisons on Spargi Island and its surroundings, have been chasing their comrades, trying to avenge their misfortunes. They managed to halve the gap to the leaders, at one point to nearly 300 miles, and this morning, Aurélien Ducroz / Jonathan Chodkiewiez on the scow CROSSCALL (No. 166), the first of the avengers, is back to 160 miles. The arrivals will then be staggered in the second half of the night for François Verdier and Laurent Garnero – HA PLUS PME (No. 142), Edgard Vincens and Louis Toreilles – FRAISE.ORG (No. 149), and Mathieu Foulquier Gazagnes and Gildas Beauchamps – L’AGENCE TELECOM – SOTRAPLANT (No. 157).
Bringing up the rear of this group, Joel Paris and Thibault Lecarpentier – REVE A PERTE DE VUE (No. 32) deserve special mention for their performance in this race with the oldest Class40 in the fleet; let’s not forget Joel’s unique situation, which carries the message of the visually impaired and once again demonstrates their ability and willingness to integrate into sporting events or businesses. Handicapped last night by the loss of their spinnaker due to a break in the headstock (attachment point at the top of the sail), Goulven Marie and Philippe Albrecht bring up the rear on QWANZA (No. 98).
COME WELCOME THEM ALL AT THE MUCEM DARSE!
Messages from the night. Goulven Marie (QWANZA)
“We’ve been chasing the miles lost to Sicié since the beginning. We’ve caught up at times, but the boats ahead keep pulling away. It’s often like that; it’s up to us to be faster next time. Despite everything, the acceleration under spinnaker and the scenery are appreciated by the entire crew, who would be living their best lives if they didn’t have a sense of competition.
See you soon, Goulven.”
