A one-hour penalty has been issued to Thibaut Vauchel-Camus (Solidaires En Peloton by Delanchy)—currently second in the Ocean Fifty class—following the accidental breakage of an engine seal.
There is still the possibility of surprises as light winds approaching Guadeloupe and around the island are potential traps.
In Class40 Achille Nebout (Amarris) leads ahead of Guillaume Pirouelle (Sogestran-Seafrigo), while those trailing behind are waiting for an opportunity to bounce back
For the Ocean Fifty trimarans still at sea, arrivals are expected to follow one after another throughout the afternoon and evening. However, a minor complication awaits the current second-place boat in the category: despite a lead of about twenty nautical miles over his closest pursuer, the skipper must serve a 60-minute penalty for the accidental breaking of an engine seal a penalty he plans to take after passing the Canal des Saintes.
In the IMOCA fleet Boris Herrmann (Malizia 4) is working hard to preserve a lead of 45 miles ahead of Elodie Bonafous (Association Petits Princes Queguiner). The German skipper, on course for his third second place in a row in solo Transatlantics has been holding on to solid speeds since he found the breeze last night. He has been taking some simple pleasures afforded by the benign weather. Boris reported “I slept a little on deck, under the stars, now I am fresh for the final miles which should be roughly about 20 hours to the corner of Guadeloupe. It is a lot of suspense to have competition close by and that makes for great racing and that is what we are here for so that is exciting. Congratulations to Corentin and also to Sam and Elodie who are having a strong race. It is great racing with a strong fleet and a strong finish expected.”
Seb Simon (Groupe Dubrueil-Air Caraibes) will be doing all he can to crash the podium to conclude an impressive comeback. But with just over 350 miles to go the skipper from Les Sables d’Olonne is still 87 miles behind Sam Goodchild (MACIF Santé Prévoyance). "I’ve come a very long way back. Despite that poor start, I was determined to show what my boat was capable of. During the major depression, I wanted to push it to see just how far it could go. I haven’t run into any problems, and when I compared my speeds to the others, I realized I could catch up. I was focused on Sam Goodchild but now I have to keep an eye on what’s happening behind me. All it takes is one squall to bring a boat to a complete standstill for hours. Anything can still happen."
Elodie Bonafous has been doing her homework, “I’ve studied Corentin’s trajectory—the spots where he slowed down. I’ll need to be precise and arrive with a clear head, both physically and mentally.”
Francesca Clapcich (11th Hour Racing) is now sixth and has not yet had the more solid breeze, still making four to six knots and she is under threat from Davy Beaudart (Bureau Vallée) who was only a few miles behind this morning.
Hundreds of miles back up the track the Class40 fleet has entered a different phase, erratic winds, unreliable weather forecasts, and a question that is becoming increasingly significant: what sails does everyone have left in their inventory? Pierre Leboucher (Institut Imagine) and Guillaume L'Hostis (Alternative Sailing – Constructions du Belon), in particular, have had to take down headsails that were severely damaged. Out in front, Achille Nebout (Amarris) has extended his lead over Guillaume Pirouelle (Sogestran – Seafrigo) to 18 miles which is still not much considering a real fly trap of light winds is looming up ahead. Spain’s Pep Costa is eighth on VSF but has a chasm of 100 miles to breach to catch seventh. Italy’s Luca Rosetti (Macaferri Futura) is tenth, compatriot Andrea Fornaro (Influence 2) is 14th and is being chased hard by Milan Kolacek (Inland Roots Ocean Soul), the Czech skipper
For veteran Charlie Capelle and is tiny trimaran Acapelle – Proludic – La Chaîne de l’Espoir, a long-awaited window may finally be opening. Having taken refuge in Mohammedia, Morocco, to wait out a tropical storm, he used his stopover to conduct a thorough inspection of his boat. In constant communication with his router, Christian Dumard, he is now exploring the possibilities for getting back out to sea. A restart seems feasible, depending on how conditions evolve