Woxen-Ardern maintain lead

On day four of the Archipelago Raid

In perfect conditions and a good breeze this morning the competitors of the Archipelago Raid charged across the open stretch of the Baltic Sea (from Aland to the Stockholm archipelago) in 15-18 knots of speed! Unfortunately these great conditions have all of a sudden turned into no wind at all and it looks like the sailors once again have to paddle.

Sogeti, with Magnus Woxén (SWE) and Rodney Ardern (NZ), snatched first place of leg three last night in front of the leading pack X-Leisure (GB), Proust Sailing (FRA) and Saserq Marinepool (FRA), as these boats got stuck when they reached a bridge that was too low and had to sail back 5 km to get out of the trap.

After three legs (five in total) Sogeti is leading the race, closely followed by the Brits on X-Leisure, the Swedes on Addicom 1 and the French on Proust Sailing and Bollé. Sogeti was close to winning last year’s race (second overall) and are eager for revenge.

It has been full on action in the archipelago of Aland for the 18ft catamaran competitors. Yesterday evening the wind increased to over 25 knots and the crazy navigation in combination with the strong winds created quite a lot of drama. ”I have never been so scared in my life!” exclaimed Fred Wikstrom on Mac Freeze when he reached the leg finish in “Lappo” yesterday night. Frenchman Eric Proust agreed with Wikstrom; “It is crazy how many rocks there are - we had to stand up to check that we wouldn't hit any! But the sailing has been great - lots of wind and action. We are so happy not having to paddle!” Proust said at Lappo yesterday night.

The strong winds were still there for the restart this morning at 04.30, giving the competitors some really exciting sailing. At least six boats capsized this morning. Sea charts, gps, and extra food are long gone on the bottom of the sea. Several teams are getting really tired, but only one boat of the 28 who started the race, has retired (New Rules - Cristobal Urenda and George Nieto from Chili).

Today’s leg (leg four) is from Lappo to Sandhamn. The wind has shifted to south and the boats will have to tack down towards Sandhamn and are expected to reach the leg finish late tonight. With a very irregular wind speed and wind direction there is a constant change in the lead and it is impossible to predict who will show up as first boat at each checkpoint.

The race finishes in Gustavsberg/Stockholm Friday afternoon, August 13.

Position of 10 first boats after Leg 3 plus three checkpoints of Leg 4

1 Sogeti (SWE) 91.5p
2 X-Leisure (GB) 88p
3 Addicom 1 (SWE) 79.5p
4 Proust Sailing (FRA) 73.5p
5 Bollé (FRA) 73p
6 Frugo (POL) 71p
7 PAF (FIN) 70p
8 GB Glace (SWE) 69p
9 Macfreeze (SWE) 65.5p
10 Jobman Workwear (SWE) 64p