Through the Azores

Fast lane and fliers in Figaro's singlehanded Trophee BPE transatlantic race

Position at 0900GMT

Pos	Boat	DTF	DTL	VMG	Lat	Long	Spd	Crs	Spd	Crs	Spd	Dist
							Instant		4hr aver		24hr run
1	BOSTIK	2820.0	0.0	8.7	37 18.90' N	32 28.74' W	9.2	233	9.8	233.0	8.7	208.3
2	CERCLE VERT	2833.3	13.3	7.9	38 40.80' N	32 40.80' W	8.1	239	8.4	241.0	9.0	216.4
3	CREDIT MARITIME-ZEROTWO	2842.2	22.2	8.4	37 08.28' N	31 56.52' W	8.9	247	8.8	247.0	10.2	244.1
4	AQUARELLE.COM	2842.6	22.6	8.8	39 00.96' N	32 36.24' W	9.1	260	9.2	261.0	9.6	229.6
5	TOTAL	2888.9	68.9	7.6	38 45.78' N	31 28.38' W	7.7	237	8.6	237.0	9.1	217.5
6	COUTOT ROEHRIG	2890.6	70.6	9.1	39 09.24' N	31 34.86' W	9.2	257	9.2	254.0	9.8	234.8
7	SKANDIA	2894.0	74.0	7.4	37 54.66' N	31 04.02' W	7.8	238	8.3	235.0	8.9	212.7
8	BANQUE POPULAIRE	2907.0	87.0	8.4	38 10.86' N	30 52.26' W	8.4	235	8.2	238.0	8.6	206.9
9	LITTLE BLACK SHARK	2942.5	122.5	8.6	39 33.54' N	30 34.74' W	8.6	236	7.5	234.0	8.4	202.0
10	GEDIMAT	3000.9	180.9	10.4	36 12.12' N	28 19.92' W	10.5	244	10.9	242.0	9.5	227.1
11	ENTREPRENDRE AU PAYS DE LORIENT	3006.2	186.2	9.3	37 45.00' N	28 35.94' W	10.5	236	8.7	240.0	8.6	206.9
12	ATAO AUDIO SYSTEM	3018.9	198.9	9.1	34 15.42' N	27 36.00' W	9.8	232	10.6	237.0	9.8	236.2

The weekend has seen the singlehanded Figaro sailor competing in the class' Trophee BPE from St Nazaire to Cuba having a blinding run towards the Azores, passing south of the waypoint island of Flores over the course of yesterday.

While this morning Charles Caudrelier has taken over the lead, the first to pass Flores was Gildas Morvan on Cercle Vert. "It is very high, I saw a large black mass. One might have said it was the mysterious island of Tintin," Morvan recounted. "I was accomodated by a dolphin, but that was all that I saw: no fishermen, no yachtmen.

At present the boats are still enjoying brisk southeasterly winds, that are effectively the end of the Trade winds from the western end of the high pressure system currently lying between the Azores and the UK. The forecast over the next few days is for the wind to veer around to the southeast and the boats should remain in these conditions for the next two to three days as the Azores high is forecast (for one of the first times this year) to take up residence in its rightful spot over the Azores.

The boats have effectively split into two groups with the main leading group taking the passage through the Azores close to the waypoint. This included race leader Charles Caudrelier on Bostik while second placed Gildas Morvan is now maintaining a position further north. Sam Davies on Skandia is now ahead of her old Transat AG2R team mate Jeanne Gregoire and took a route through the Azores to the south of the leaders, Dominique Vittet on ATAO Audio System is taking a complete flyer and is some 300 miles to the southeast of Caudrelier.

At present the advantage of being on the right of the course is more wind - roughly 22-28 knots compared to 18 knots on the great circle. However the price of Vittet heading there is a 200 mile deficit on the leader.




Sam Davies reports from on board...

I am writing this at 02.35, in order to keep myself awake until the 03.10 compulsory vacation.

Today was a BIG day! It was the passage of Flores Island in the Azores, which is a big waypoint for this race. It is nice to think about a long race broken down into 'manageable' sections. In my head, I have Azores as the first stage, then Transatlantic as the second, longest stage and then the last section from the passage at Turks to the finish in Cuba. In the end, my route took me very close to the islands Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial. I stayed further away than the ideal route to avoid too much 'shadowing' by these high volcanic islands, which was a shame, as I didn't get to see them. I did see the small island of Graciaosa however, loom out of the mist.

As I got close (before I could see Graciosa) I could smell the land which is a fantastic scent, and I think it is only moments like these that I appreciate my sense of smell and how powerful it is.

Now, for me, the other important part of the day was to try to meet up with my parents, who live on their boat in Horta marina (Faial). It was a bit tricky, as this would only be possible if I passed close enough for them to be able to work out where I was (by phone call - they do not have iridium for the moment) and make a dead reckoning to aim for. In fact, last night, they had deided it probably wouldn't work, but when I called them this morning, they said OK!

So, finally we made radio contact and tried to work out a converging course, but I was a little too far ahead. But anyway, I saw their magnificent yacht (59ft wooden schooner) Ninita cruising along behind me, white sails glowimg in the sun, and we spoke on the VHF for over an hour. We were both going at the same speed. I wished I could slow down a bit, but this is a race, so we never got really close, so after a little while we said our goodbyes and Ninita turned around and headed for Horta. I was alone again! (before that, I hadn't seen my parents since they left the UK last June, so it was an amazing moment!)

Then, just as I was contemplating my solitude, I had a call on the VHF from the Horta Marina office, to wish me luck and to say that everyone there were following my race - how amazing! The guy spoke perfect English, and was SO nice, he seemed absolutely over the moon to be able to talk to someone in the middle of a solo tranastlantic race! That was lovely! Then, finally, I was alone.

Luckily, now, we have a stable wind, and Skandia is under autopilot, happily marching through the waves all alone, while I can rest, write, and eat a proper meal. The whole day was exhausting as the wind was all over the place (changing sails all the time, wind from 18 knots to over 30 knots at times.)

In fact, physically this first week has been exhausting, and now is the first time I have a bit of down time and I am beginning to realise that I am a bit knackered and beaten up! My body aches all over (muscular, and also bruises), my hands are SO sore (from salt water and ropes), my nose is sore and wind burnt. I think I need to take a minute to try to treat some of my aches and pains if I get a chance! AND my feet are wet! I HATE havimg wet feet. I have stuffed my boots with my pre-start weather forecast sheets (no longer needed) to try to dry them. (Feet currently being housed in plastic bags!) I am hoping for a dry-ing day asap with some sunshine! Preferably tomorrow??

Speak soon
Sam xx