11:04 am: Starting sequence

Slight delay of the starting sequence...
In the sarting area, the wind blows north at 20 knots with gusts as expected.

Last minute withdrawal...

For personal reasons, Philippe Lacaze on Istuardo (N° 603) withdrew from the Mini Pavois.

Start on Wednesday the 5th of May at 11:00 am

The race will start at 11:00 am off La Rochelle. The starting line will be anchored south-west of Port des Minimes and the boats will have to pass a turning mark buoy windward just off La Rochelle. Then, they will head towards the exit of the sluice, heading for the Bay of Biscay.

Weather forecast…

Eric Mas - Meteo Consult: "The Mediterranean low pressure is gradually fill in, in the morning (1002 hPa at noon) in the Gulf of Lions before moving toward the Gulf of Genoa during the afternoon. In the mean time, the high pressure off Ireland collapses slightly (1030 hPa at midday) while moving away to the north. The pressure gradient really slackens in the Bay of Biscay and the conditions are improving gradually. At noon, in La Rochelle, the wind forecast will be NNE force 5 gusting to 25 knots. Offshore it is the same and waves slowly weaken. The waves height is then limited to 2m50 max. It is sunnier and with fewer showers, the visibility is most of the time excellent. At night, from Wednesday to Thursday, on the direct route to Gijon, the conditions continue to weaken slowly. "

Rock’n’roll… in three-four time!

Postponed until tomorrow Wednesday, the first part of this leg toward Spain will be intensely sporting. The North / North-East stream will continue to blow along the Atlantic coast at 20 knots with 25 knots gusts. The wind will gradually turn north and weaken and then turn northwest. A Northwest stream that boldly glides west approaching the Iberian coasts. The problem might be the low wind zone that will glide from North to South and that could trap the end of the fleet Thursday evening.
A well-known tune… With a buffer zone that will trap some of the sailors to better increase the lead… Because, let be clear: there should be plenty of sails changes and handlings on this first leg! The first 245 nm could be done in a little more than 24 hours, on the condition that the participation aboard is 100%. Main headsail in the breeze for those that want to speedily consume miles in the beginning of the race, flat sails for a nice finish… A "boar" menu in the beginning but with gourmet tends as for the strategy: should they go on the direct path quickly or should they keep the West to have an angle at the approach of Spanish coasts when the wind will almost be in their stern? Interesting ... Anyway: this first leg provides a perfect menu with endurance, strategy and an excellent compromise course / speed. A lot of tension and attention... Could we expect better conditions? ...

"Gueules de briefing"

Christophe Breschi has taken a few pictures named "gueules de briefing" on Monday evening... To see them, go on his website http://www.ricochets17.com. Nice...