End in sight

As Figaro fleet in Trophee BPE pick up the breeze...only to lose it again

Positions at 0900GMT

Pos	Boat	DTF	DTL	VMG	Lat	Long	Spd	Crs	Spd	Crs	Spd	Dist
							Instant		4hr aver		24hr run
1	CREDIT MARITIME-ZEROTWO	56.4	0.0	1.1	21 22.50' N	79 52.92' W	1.3	308	2.0	324.0	5.4	128.8
2	BOSTIK	82.2	25.8	1.4	21 03.84' N	79 33.66' W	0.6	16	3.8	309.0	5.5	131.3
3	CERCLE VERT	82.3	25.9	0.6	21 03.72' N	79 33.72' W	0.6	329	3.8	309.0	5.4	130.6
4	ATAO AUDIO SYSTEM	91.4	35.0	0.6	20 59.64' N	79 25.20' W	0.9	310	2.9	310.0	5.3	127.3
5	TOTAL	108.0	51.6	2.1	20 46.56' N	79 13.20' W	2.9	294	2.6	300.0	4.9	116.4
6	AQUARELLE.COM	112.3	55.9	1.5	20 48.96' N	79 05.82' W	2.1	297	2.2	301.0	4.7	113.1
7	GEDIMAT	113.8	57.4	2.4	20 46.68' N	79 05.40' W	3.0	300	2.1	302.0	4.7	113.9
8	BANQUE POPULAIRE	115.6	59.2	2.3	20 43.80' N	79 05.16' W	2.5	301	2.5	304.0	4.7	112.4
9	COUTOT ROEHRIG	119.5	63.1	2.1	20 42.24' N	79 01.26' W	2.9	305	1.9	304.0	4.5	109.0
10	ENTREPRENDRE AU PAYS DE LORIENT	145.1	88.7	2.4	20 23.94' N	78 41.76' W	2.1	309	3.4	308.0	5.1	122.9
11	LITTLE BLACK SHARK	298.8	242.4	3.1	19 40.50' N	76 10.32' W	3.0	270	3.9	271.0	3.4	82.8
NL	SKANDIA

As the latest positions show the Figaro fleet in the singlehanded Trophee BPE is nearing the finish line at Cienfuegos and although they have been making better progress over the last 24 hours, the wind has once again crapped out with Armel Tripon's Gedimat in seventh place scoring the best instantaneous speed of...3 knots.

Annoyingly Sam Davies' position on Skandia hasn't shown up, but we are informed by Offshore Challenges that at 1000GMT she was at 20° 52 05N 79° 15 49W, putting her in fifth place with roughly 102 miles to go.

With conditions as they are and the forecast being wholly unreliable in this area, it could be another 24 hours yet before Eric Drouglazet on Credit Maritime can claim line honours. Another two before Skandia finishes...

Sam Davies reports on on board (in the early hours this morning)

Hello!

It is 1am UT and FINALLY, we are doing what SKANDIA seems to like best - fast reaching with the asymmetric up! Hooray!

Today started Ok, with some breeze, sailing downwind towards the "Bretons" waypoint. But the situation quickly turned into more of the same - no wind! In fact, in the end there was so little wind that I dropped the spinnaker, and lashed the boom out to stop it "clack-clack-ing" so much!

The disappointing part was that Mino (Dominic Vittet) seemed to manage to slide away from me as the wind dropped. I did the same to Marc Emig behind me, however. I am frustrated to be paying so dearly for my small mistake last night and loosing the place to Mino. That is life!

When the wind came back, Marc came with it a bit and I could see him in the distance behind me as it got dark. This race is close!

Today seemed to be hotter than ever. It is hard to do anything in this heat, and impossible to sleep or eat. When the wind disappeared I managed to get below in the shade and I actually fell asleep, which is a good thing to have had some rest - I need more!! I keep myself going now with the knowledge that hopefully only one more day and I will be able to sleep for as long as I like in a REAL bed in a cool room!!!! I can't wait!

And I tried listening to music, but when the wind is so light, I like to be able to hear the sound of the boat in the water to feel how we are going, and the music is too distracting. Boo!!

I am also drinking heaps, including re-hydrating drinks like Isostar, and suncream is getting used in massive amounts, so I have not suffered adverse effects from the sun or the heat. I couldn't imagine having to race with heat or sun-stroke.

Bring on the Palma Crystal beer at the finish!!!!

Sam x