Armel Le Cleach still has strong winds for his finish. He’ll have 25-30 knots later today and at the moment 30-35 knots NNW’ly. It has been very gusty, still with big seas.
At 1000hrs GMT Le Cléac’h had 219 miles to do so realistically an early morning finish tomorrow. Brit Air has been making between 10 and 11 knots. He should accelerate a little, but he is mainly sailing safe, watching for traffic, has seen a lot of cargo ships, he has been keeping a close eye on the boat and everything not trying to push too hard.
His second place is safe and is contingent on him not breaking anything, not hitting anything so is down to him and luck staying on his side.
Tomorrow’s tide to get into the canal is about 11h-11h30 local time tomorrow morning.
The battle off the Azores, is keeping racing interest keen. Sam is 255 miles ahead this morning and so has lost a bit as Guillemot’s leverage starts to change for the better in the NW, he is not much quicker than Sam but is making back towards the course in building downwind conditions, 12.1 knots to Sam’s 10.5 knots.
He is on starboard in SW’ly winds which will build for him. In fact the high pressure is holding on to Sam and she will be slowed during today…
Pindar is still in Tradewinds. Thompson would like to see a more even sea state to get away from Caffari a bit. He has been compromised by his keel rams problems, running at around 50% cant. Bahrain Team Pindar is a little more east than Guillemot’s track and will gain a few miles.
He is 166 miles DTF behind Guillemot and 142 miles ahead of Dee – half a day at the moment—she is doing 13.1 knots he was making 7.9 knots this morning – may have another problem – should be going quicker….
Caffari is quickest in the fleet this morning 13.1 knots more eased than Brian, wind more in the east for her, and for Akena Verandas.
Dee will also benefit more than Brian as the high moves to the SE and she will be able to cut the corner a little more
Steve White is getting towards the Doldrums – they are wide – about 500 miles but the squall activity is reasoanably limited and so he should have a steady crossing –
Rich Wilson is in the transition zone, that squally S America Doldrums territory but has been making good miles 225 miles in 24 hours, best in the fleet in that respect at the moment
Raphael Dinelli has a low coming at him with 55 knots and his 310 miles past the Falklands Same too for Sedlacek who is still a little slowed this morning…..140 miles SW of East Falkland island