Second night storm

50 knot gusts expected tonight for Solidaire du Chocolat fleet

Plain sailing in the Solidaire du Chocolat for the time being, but not for long. After having got off to s smooth start in clement conditions, the tone is set to change. A hefty low is on its way. Tonight the fleet is going to be given quite a shaking. At the moment, the experienced members of the fleet in the shape of Pôle Elior Santé-Mistral Loisirs (Bouchard-Krauss) and Cheminées Poujoulat (Jourdren-Stamm), are heading west to avoid the worst, whereas Telecom Italia (Solidini-D’Ali) is heading due south.

Before entering into battle, the 24 crews have to make the best of what they have got to reel in the miles. The options are generally clear. Westward bound and out to the open sea. A race against the clock in on against the series of low pressure systems welling up over the Bay of Biscay. The wind is starting to strengthen (up to 28 knots this afternoon), cloud darkening the skies and waves starting to hit the deck. There is no denying that conditions are worsening. The Bay of Biscay is bearing its teeth and this is just for starters.

Some serious brain racking is going on to work out how best to manoeuvre in the rough ride ahead. The transition between the two systems offers a little respite to duck and dive to avoid getting caught off guard. And it is still worth pushing hard while the going is good. Cheminées Poujoulat has clocked up 15 knots recently, almost 16 for Initiatives-Novedia (De Lamotte-Hardy), in a rather interesting position of late. Her track produces a finely adjusted path between west and south.

The race is still very much on the agenda even if the elements are dishing up nothing very much to write home about. Some general strategies are never the less becoming apparent. Many are observing the option taken by the Italian pair Giovanni Soldini and Pietro D’Ali, clearly minded to head south straight for Cape Finisterre, with a terrible reputation for chaotic seas and violent winds whenever a front sweeps overhead.

Perhaps they are just hoping to sneak through unnoticed beneath the fearsome vast system of low pressure. Currently lying 30 miles behind the leaders, they are sticking to their chosen course demonstrating truly independent thinking. Worth keeping an eye on considering the busy night ahead. Whether hugging the coast around Cape Finisterre or further out to the open sea, there is a battle brewing in the Bay of Biscay this evening. We’ll just have to wait and see.

"The competitors are going to have their first spot of rough weather tonight as the cold front sweeps through the zone. The wind will veer SW and freshen to 30/35 knots with gusts of up to 50 knots as the front kicks in. The tail end of the front is active, a steady NW blow with gusts of up to 45 knots. Heavy seas with waves of up to 6-8 metres are likely", said meteologist Richard Silvani of Météo France

Bernard Duval, Race Manager for the Solidaire du Chocolat added: "The front is expected to hit the fleet around 2000-2200 tonight. That means strong winds until 9h tomorrow morning. Right now they are in a transitional phase. They have had a night and a day to get ready for this front and the boats are extremely seaworthy. Apart from Telecom Italia, which is further south than the rest, most have opted west to avoid closing in on Cape Finisterre which is not a pleasant place to be in bad weather."

"We had a nice night sailing downwind in light air to start off with, picking up gradually," said Bernard Stamm. "We tried to keep abreast of sail changes and take turns to rest. We’re doing our best to understand the system ahead to anticipate how we are going to react, particularly for sail changes and shortening sail and gear breakages. We have to fix everything in the boat so that nothing shifts about. Cloud overhead, a spot of sun but you can see the change on its way. The sea is beginning to get rough with every other wave ending up on deck."

On PHR, Pascal Douin reported: "We are sticking to our westerly option. In view of the forecasts, we’re pushing on ahead to latch onto the shift of the front tonight. We’re trying to get on as best we can. We are just behind Cargill-MTTM (Damien Seguin-Armel Tripon, ed’s note). Right now, Laurent i shaving a whale of a time at the helm, we’re surfing along with top speeds of 17 knots. All weather information sources agree about the front on its way. The wind will start to back and then we will have to bear the brunt of the situation. We’re in for a rough night but that is part of the deal."

Class President Jacques Fournier competing on Groupe Picoty said: "After having got off to a difficult start, we have unveiled our secret arm in the shape of a code 0 sail (a headsail for light air), and made our way back into the pack again. We didn’t sleep much last night but are going to try and rest this afternoon. We know our boat inside out. She has already sailed three transatlantic races – quite an advantage."