Tracking west

Transat AG2R La Mondiale fleet remain clumped together

Image above courtesy of Expedition Navigation Systems and PredictWind

Positions at 0730 GMT 

18 hours into the Transat AG2R La Mondiale and less than 10 miles separates first from last as the boats head west on starboard gybe in the light northeasterly breeze. Less than 10 miles also spans the race track between the north/south left/right with the boats that have set up in the south looking good in terms of DTF on the leaderboard but those in the north in marginally better pressure, but expecting to reap dividends in due course. Among the northerly 'investors' are past Solitaire winner Nicolas Troussel, Armel Le Cleac'h and Nicolas Lunven. 

The first night at sea has been quiet with the wind at 4-6 knots from the northeast. "It has beenrather better than one had hoped," reported Yann Elies. "We left the French coasts at around 18-1900 yesterday. The wind was always weak. We had the spi up all night. Everyone is around us. We reckon that 90% of the fleet are with us. The wind has built to 10 and 15 knots."

Bernard Stamm reported: "It's not going too badly. It's hard to judge where one is compared to the others. We're under spinnaker now. We were glad to leave the coast. The feeling is not the same on a Figaro than a bigger boat - it is more sensitive. You see immediately if you have made a mistake or not. We have a large concern with our computer - we cannot receive positions. So I only know where were are compared to those we can see."

This afternoon the forecast indicates that the wind will veer slightly and the boats will gybe on this shift as the high appears to be encroaching into the Bay of Biscay, creating light winds on the right side of the course. The forecast for tomorrow morning is looking more encouraging with the wind building to 10-15 knots from the east. The big tactical moment ahead will be handling Cape Finistere at the northwestern corner of Spain, as whether competitors attempt to play the local effects here or head west for better breeze. Expect some major snakes and ladders over the next 24 hours.