Solidaire du Chocolat: mare on the rise again

St Barts two days away for leaders, but the wind will clock through 360 before then

Solidaire du Chocolat charts courtesy of Expedition/Tasman Bay Navigation Systems

Positions at 0430 UTC:

Conditions are swinging back in favour of Jorg Riechers and Marc Lepesqueux on mare. At the latest sched they are again the fastest boat in the fleet, although still on their southern track Tanguy de La Motte and Jean Galfione on Initiatives-Alex Olivier are making the best VMG. As a result mare has once again extended her lead a little up from 48 miles 24 hours ago. A real race however is on behind and to the north between the three boats jockeying for second place, now separated by just 1.5 miles.

Mare still has 466 miles to go before she reaches the turning mark off St Barts. However over the next 24 hours the dice looks set to be rolled once again as the high, dominating the weather, easing away to the northeast, causes the breeze to veer into the southwest. So tomorrow morning mare on the wind while the boats in the north will be the first to see the breeze continuing on into the northwest before the wind continues to swing through its 360 on into tomorrow night. The boats should be on for a fast run into St Barts which mare should reach on Thursday morning UTC.