The night was, as expected, very calm for the 10 Class40s still racing in this inaugural edition of the CIC MED CHANNEL RACE. The wind off the Corsican coast slowed the competitors considerably, with a few knots of unpredictable wind and a calm sea. It was a tough situation for the skippers’ nerves, even though a superb sunset and the scents of nearby Corsica eased their stress somewhat. The fleet remained close together, with the two duellists, CREDIT MUTUEL (No. 158) and CENTRAKOR (No. 183), continuing their head-to-head battle, still just a mile apart. Only Mathieu Claveau and Victoire Berger attempted a slightly more offshore option, a successful decision once again, as they reached the podium in third place late in the night, dethroning CROSSCALL (No. 166). The central group of pointus is within a mile of each other, with AQUAMARIN (No. 135), AGENCE TELECOM – SOTRAPLANT (No. 157), FRAISE.ORG (No. 148), and PHENIX HA PLUS PME (No. 142), and remains in contact with the leaders about twenty miles apart.
After this series along the Corsican coast, a new one is in store with the passage of the planned mark in the Strait of Bonifacio. The competitors were informed late yesterday evening that a change of course had been decided, with an island to be rounded north of Sardinia, Spargi Island, before heading directly for Mallorca. Indeed, the weather forecast, with almost no wind in the coming days east of Sardinia, predicted a risk of blocking the fleet for a long period. A large stretch of sea, nearly 250 miles long, awaits the Class40s towards the first Spanish shores of the event. It should take place in good downwind conditions with an established wind. A new gate must be passed south of Mallorca before rounding the island, leaving it to starboard. Traditional calm zones around Mallorca could well reshuffle the cards once again.
For the time being, the two leaders are about ten miles from the island to be rounded, upwind with a well-known acceleration of the wind given the relief and the bottleneck effect between Corsica and Sardinia. The Marseille skippers of PRENDRE LA MER / AGIR POUR LA FORÊT should be on the podium for this brand, repeating their strong performance from the first hours of the race. In any case, everyone will have marveled at the superb landscapes of the Isle of Beauty and Sardinia.
Night message from issue no. 157 L’AGENCE TELECOM – SOTRAPLANT / Mathieu Foulquier – Gazagues and Gildas Beauchamps
“After a beautiful crossing between the mainland and Corsica in 20-25 knots of wind, we rounded the Calvi buoy, passing our friends. We stayed in contact with Matthieu Claveau and François Verdier’s Phénix, but were closely followed by the rest of the crew. The day was relatively calm under spinnaker with the residual easterly wind until the end of the afternoon,
which unfortunately left us off the island.We decided to return to the coast in the hope of a night thermal along the Isle of Beauty.We did so, picking up a light wind of 8 to 10 knots, which allowed us to catch up with the front of the fleet, which was currently at a standstill. The classic accordion game in the Mediterranean. We have a night Magnificent, very starry, hoping that this night wind will carry us as far as possible.
Good night, earthlings
Matthieu and Gildas 157″
