Closing on the Caribbean

An update on the Figaro's singlehanded Trophee BPE transatlantic race

Positions at 0900GMT

Pos	Boat	DTF	DTL	VMT	Lat	Long	Spd	Crs	Spd	Crs	Spd	Dist
							Instant		4hr aver		24hr run
1	CREDIT MARITIME-ZEROTWO	800.4	0.0	5.3	22 52.26' N	67 57.72' W	5.4	250	6.8	227.0	8.5	204.5
2	BOSTIK	821.5	21.2	6.2	22 58.56' N	67 35.10' W	6.1	228	6.6	232.0	8.4	202.3
3	SKANDIA	838.8	38.4	8.8	23 14.88' N	67 07.03' W	8.9	254	9.1	254.0	9.5	227.3
4	CERCLE VERT	887.2	86.9	8.7	24 03.24' N	66 55.50' W	8.7	232	8.7	225.0	9.2	220.1
5	BANQUE POPULAIRE	927.7	127.3	8.6	23 42.48' N	65 49.56' W	10.2	221	9.1	221.0	9.0	216.5
6	GEDIMAT	937.9	137.5	7.7	24 12.54' N	65 55.38' W	7.7	251	8.1	254.0	9.1	219.5
7	COUTOT ROEHRIG	940.6	140.2	6.9	24 21.96' N	65 58.50' W	6.7	262	8.6	264.0	9.0	215.0
8	AQUARELLE.COM	953.1	152.7	8.6	24 16.38' N	65 38.40' W	9.7	265	8.7	253.0	9.1	218.8
9	ATAO AUDIO SYSTEM	960.0	159.6	9.1	22 38.40' N	64 46.26' W	9.6	267	9.7	265.0	11.1	265.3
10	TOTAL	973.5	173.2	8.7	24 23.70' N	65 17.04' W	8.9	237	8.7	228.0	9.4	225.3
11	ENTREPRENDRE AU PAYS DE LORIENT	1039.1	238.8	9.5	24 39.48' N	63 58.44' W	9.6	257	9.6	259.0	9.3	222.7
12	LITTLE BLACK SHARK	1197.8	397.4	7.7	26 25.14' N	61 48.24' W	8.1	228	8.0	230.0	7.6	182.5

As the chart above shows, the leaders in the Figaro class' Trophee BPE are now closing on the Caribbean. Under race rules they must sail through the passage between the eastern end of Cuba and the west side of Haiti, but their first encounter with the Caribbean will be as they pass the exotic offshore tax haven of the Turk & Caicos islands.

Among the leaders Sam Davies on Skandia has gained ground closing to 38 miles of race leader Eric Drouglazet on Credit Maritime-ZeroTwo as has Gildas Morvan on fourth placed Cercle Vert.

At present and over the next 24 hours a shallow depression is forming to the north of Puerto Rico and while the leaders are been lavished with a nice 20 knot northeasterly, Dominique Vittet on ATAO Audio Systems to the south may find himself becalmed as the centre of the depression passes over him later today. However at present Vittet is making good progress and his speed was recorded at over 10 knots at the 0300 position update. Basically there is more wind from a more favourable angle on the right side of the race track.

Sam Davies reports from on board Skandia

Good morning!

I am gybing downwind in towards the Turks and Caicos Islands, where we will pass through into the Caribbean. I have just passed a really weird ship, that was pretty big, but when I got closer it seemed to have masts and sails! Either it is Jonny Depp and his Pirates, or it is the beginning of the luxury cruising liners that we see here! I think it was probably the latter, as I am sure that Jonny Depp would not have nav lights!

It seems like the beginning of the final stage of this race, as things become more tactical, and less straight line sailing. I can feel it is going to be tiring!

I had a nasty thought earlier. I was reminiscing about my last orange (that I ate yesterday!) and I remembered the other "fresh" food I have on board - my CHEESE!! Oh dear! I had forgotten about my cheese, since I confined it to the gas locker (outside in cockpit) about 4 or 5 days ago! And even then it was beginning to make signs that it would be able to climb out alone! I wonder what it will be like now. I am going to have to go in tomorrow and check, which is a job I am not looking forward to!

The wind is dropping now too, tomorrow will be hot, and so will the next 5 days as not much wind is forecast. I am going to get some rest now, whilst the wind is steady!

Speak soon
Sam