Arriving yesterday evening at 9:00 PM at the southeastern tip of the island of Mallorca, the two leaders, CREDIT MUTUEL (No. 158) and CENTRAKOR (No. 183), had no wind problems as they rounded the island and rounded it overnight. The two Class 40s are now 35 miles northwest of the island and are heading directly for Marseille. However, they are expected to be slowed in the afternoon by a weakening wind. The 4.5-mile gap between the two protagonists remains a slim lead given the conditions ahead and the intensity of the battle, not to mention the hazards of the finish in the Bay of Marseille.
The lighter wind zone ahead of the first two should allow the two pursuers, PRENDRE LA MER / AGIR POUR LA FORET (No. 89) and AQUAMARIN (No. 135), to catch up with the leaders for a fairly close finish for the four competitors, according to the routing. Mathieu Claveau and Victoire Berger passed the Balearic Islands at 6:35 this morning, 50 miles ahead of their direct rival, confirming an exceptional performance in the race.
As for the group of six Class40s, each 40 miles apart and currently 130 miles from Mallorca, they are currently led by Edgard Vincens and Louis Toreilles on FRAISE.ORG (No. 148); they should be in the Balearic Islands by the end of the day. The leaders are expected to arrive in Marseille tomorrow morning, Friday, and all competitors should be back in position at the Mucem dock on Saturday. But the forecast for great weather, accompanied by very light winds close to land, suggests some surprises in the final miles, which could leave some happy and some disappointed at the last minute…
Messages of the night
Joël Paris – REVE A PERTE DE VUE (No. 32)
“Hi landlubbers.
Last night, things were grim on Reve à Perte de Vue. We were looking for the lost fleece. For you, a fleece is a warm garment; for us, it’s the maximum speed to reach, and we were completely lost. We were looking, we were trimming, and we started shaking the boat in all directions at the helm, and suddenly it accelerated again. It must have been a nice patch of seaweed. Otherwise, everything is fine on board, and we’re really very happy to be here in the rankings with our old Class 40.
Between Mallorca and Sardinia.
Reve A Perte De Vue on May 1st
