To the South of the Azores archipelago, Groupama 3 is benefiting from a favourable breeze to slip along at pace on flat seas. Seven degrees to her NE, on the other side of the same archipelago, Thomas Coville is briskly driving his steed through headwinds and big seas.
Suffice to say that the two competitors, who shared the same boat during the Jules Verne Trophy, are certainly not in the same boat now, in any sense of the term! And yet, despite being positioned over 300 miles behind in relation to the finish, Thomas’ Sodebo is proving to be a concern for Franck’s Groupama.
In fact, between the two men, two proud vessels are also in the thick of the action and they certainly won’t be intending to play a bit part. This duo are formed of Idec, helmed by the colossus Joyon, holder of the solo round the world record under sail, and Gitana 11, which is none other than the revamped winner of the last edition of the Route du Rhum La Banque Postale. However, this time the latter is being helmed by Guichard who Franck is very familiar with, having often seen the stern of his Extreme 40 this season.
With a deficit of 249 and 251 miles respectively in relation to Groupama 3, these two boats are in fact sailing in the same weather system as the leader. Logically then they are currently involved in a drag race, which for now isn’t often proving favourable.
To go back to Coville, fairly close to him on a route which could be described as West, is the skipper of Oman Air Majan, Sidney Gavignet. These two men will have to traverse a front tomorrow morning and behind this technical term is hidden a fairly brutal change of wind direction which, in the space of a few minutes, is likely to switch from SW to NW. Moving from an upwind point of sail, close-hauled to a quartering wind, breeze on the back, the two sailors will be able to lengthen their stride. Paying a good deal of attention to the sea state all the same, which will involve the boats driving head on into heavy seas, it will be a while before the wind and seas are aligned again. The strength of the wind will also change, making conditions pretty full-on in the forecast 30-35 knots of breeze.
For the skipper of Groupama 3, he will have to endure this same pattern a few hours later. On the programme at that point will be a few changes of sail area aboard a boat whose performance in breezy conditions is celebrated.
Right now it’s down to these three sailors to prepare their steeds well, to stow everything away and lash everything down. As the French saying goes: “It’s in the squall that we see the sailors’ talents all”.
Positions at 1500 hours on Wednesday 3rd November
1/ Groupama 3 some 2,258 miles from the finish
2/ Idec 249 miles from the leader
3/ Gitana 11 some 251 miles astern
4/ Sodebo 306 miles astern
5/ Oman Air Majan 326 miles astern