No plain sailing for the EDS

As the dockside action heats up here in St Malo before the start of the EDS Atlantic Challenge on Tuesday, all the talk is of how tough this race will be. Solo sailors such as Ellen MacArthur and Roland Jourdain talk of how a non-stop single-handed round the world race like the Vendée Globe is tough insofar as the sailor must stay safe, must sail well within the capabilities of the boat and the conditions. With the EDS Challenge there is the potential to push the boat harder - delay a reef, leave a huge gennaker up longer - and for the crew to push themselves harder too; no one here in St Malo is expecting much sleep on the short legs up to Germany and on to Portsmouth.

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