“The conditions are perfect to move the machine forward. She moves forward on her own. So I let her express herself! », Summarized Sébastien Simon to the organizers.
Still leader on Monday, Jean Le Cam (Everything begins in Finistère – Armor-Lux), passed between Cape Verde and the African coasts but who has now headed west, has fallen in the ranking since he is now in 13th position, nearly 150 miles from Goodchild.
Ideal conditions
“Almost everyone has now returned to double-digit speeds and over the last four hours a good half of the fleet has been running at an average of 20, even 25 knots! » indicated Pierre Hays, Deputy Race Director.
Before tackling the Doldrums and its capricious weather on Wednesday afternoon, the majority of the first twelve competitors took advantage of ideal conditions with a wind between 18 and 20 knots on flat seas, which allowed them to exceed 20 average nodes. “Driven by a remainder of the north swell, the boat often exceeds 30 knots. Life on board is less pleasant than in recent days but the competitive mentality is pampered! », underlined Paul Meilhat (Biotherm), 12th almost 112 miles from the lead.
“The first six are spread over 170 miles from east to west, in an almost perfect line. Their respective shifts will necessarily generate gaps at certain times,” explained Pierre Hays.
Senegal
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