Second win for Fiser

Leg two of the Round Martinque Race takes the boats to Robert

The 25 crews competing in the Round Martinique set off on the second stage of the race – a 33 mile course from Marin round to Robert on the Atlantic side of the French Caribbean island. The start line was set off the idyllic white sand beaches of Saint-Anne.

“The fleet remained relatively close today racing in a steady 15 to 20 knot easterly breeze, which held for most of the course, despite the slightly tough rounding at the Table du Diable on the Southern tip of Martinique,” explained Marc Emig, sailing on Martinique Premiere – Crédit Mutuel in the Racing Class.

The competitors raced close to shore, cutting corners in order to cut down the extra miles and avoid the stronger current offshore, the fastest covering the course in just over four hours, despite some having to disentangle themselves from seaweed that got caught in their keels and tillers.

The fleet sailed upwind to the tip of Vauclin in 20 knots and then under spinnaker down to the finish in Robert.

Jean-Michel Figures skippering Farr 40 Fiser took line honours for the second day running, crossing the line just after 1430hrs.

"I am very pleased with the way we raced today," said Figures. "Yesterday we were still testing our new sails, but today I felt we were in the swing of things and sailing well. We were impressed with the performance of the five Melges, who had a great race. The Surprise Class also sailed well and then Oxygène, which had little competition in the Cruising Class, continues his own race well.”

First Melges 24 to finish, GFA, raced by Mathieu Bidault raced well today; "Yesterday we broke our guard rail and three of our crew fell in the water when we were leading. So this morning we got up early to prepare and double-check everything. We set off well today, stuck to our plan and held the lead to the end. I am happy we have managed to recover on some of the time we lost yesterday.”

The sailors anchored for the night in the Pointe de la Savane, a remote and beautiful site set among islands, where the race organisers set up a welcome party dinner for all.