[singlepic id=4341 w=300 h=204 float=left]Transat 6.50 – Oceano Atlantico – Li avevamo lasciati lo scorso venerdì alle prese con l’approccio di Capo Verde e li ritroviamo oggi, a sud dell’arcipelago, intenti a cercare di capire quale sia il punto migliore per buttarsi dentro ai Doldrum, ennesimo ostacolo di una tappa che ha ancora molto, moltissimo da raccontare. La seconda frazione della Ttansat 6.50 (Funchal-Salvador de Bahia) è da poco entrata nel vivo.
Basti pensare che Charlie Dalin, premiato inizialmente dall’opzione ovest e a lungo al comando della regata, non è ora in posizione così brillante e pur mantenendo la leadership vede gli avversari avvicinarsi di gran carriera, guidati da un motivatissimo Ricardo Apolloni, all’ultimo rilevamento dato in ritardo di circa 8 miglia. Alle loro spalle inseguono Xavier Macaire (a 18.37 miglia) e Francisco Lobato. Il vincitore della prima frazione è in netta rimonta e nel corso delle ultime ore ha puntato con decisione verso ovest, seguito da Olivier Bond. I due skipper sono stati i primi a staccarsi dalla flotta che da qualche rilevamento viaggiava raggruppata più o meno in fila indiana.
Leggermente a est, invece, puntano Thomas Ruyant, leader tra i Prototipi, e Bertrand Delesne, componente del gruppetto di testa sin dalle ore sucessive la partenza da Funchal; a contatto con loro resiste solo Henri Paul Shipman.
Indipendentemente dalle posizioni attuali, i solitari sanno benissimo che di qui a poco tutto potrebbe cambiare. Tra 5 o 50 miglia, questo è uno dei misteri, i Dolldrum possono colpire con improvvisi colpi di vento e interminabili calme. Nervi saldi e un pò di fortuna sono compagni d’avventura sui quali è meglio sapere di poter contare.
Prototypes
1. Thomas Ruyant, DTF 1646.72 mn
2. Bertrand Delesne, +3.24 mn
3. Henri-Paul Schipman, +6.34 mn
4. Stéphane le Diraison, +30.89 mn
5. Fabien Després, +30.93 mn
Serie
1. Charlie Dalin, DTF 1737.53 mn
2. Ricardo Apolloni, +7.43 mn
3. Xavier Macaire, +18.37 mn
4. Francisco Lobato, +24,31 mn
5. Luca Del Zozzo, +41.89 mn
…
TRANSAT 6.50, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
[Transat 6.50 Press Release] With over 2.500 miles done on the theoretical direct route in the wake of the protagonists leading The Charente-Maritime – Bahia Transat 6.50, there is no serious verdict for the rankings of the day. When at the same moment, the solo sailors prepare themselves to face the feared Doldrums. Large manoeuvres for some, conservative wisdom for the others, have not yet help us to find out an undisputed favourite to be crowned in Bahia. So, Charlie Dalin for example, author of a western option since the start from Funchal, and which has long enjoyed a high credit of miles on his immediate pursuers is now not in such a good position. Bertand Delesne, impressive leader for prototypes in the trade winds, just observed armless the thunderous return of Thomas Ruyant. While – in a distant roar of the storm – the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone is approaching.
Thunder-squalls
While the trade winds gently “sinks” for the sailors moving south of the archipelago of Cape Verde, the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, potpourri of weather conditions that characterized the transition zone between the trade winds of the Northern hemisphere and Southern hemisphere, is present on both sides of the 10th parallel. Meteo Consult experts, partner of the race have reveal a very strong activity with storms, and heavy shower at over 45 knots. “Yves Le Blévec was in these same waters two years ago fifty miles ahead of his pursuers,” said Hughes. “Adrien Hardy, before he dismasted, had nevertheless stole the top rank before the equator…” Then, 50 or 5 miles ahead when sailors approach the Doldrums are no guarantee.
Apolloni the impatient
If we had a lot, and rightly, congratulated the current Series leader, Charlie Dalin, we also monitor the amazing and very nice Italian, Ricardo Appoloni who, with modesty and discretion, does on board his Pogo 2 Ma vie pour Mapei a top performance, reducing his distance to the first to a few miles. Ricardo is known to be in the expectation of an imminent fatherhood. That is maybe why he is so impatient to join Salvador de Bahia. Two other French, Xavier Macaire and Henri Meyniel are very well positioned for the crossing of the Doldrums. Xavier just slipped his Pogo 2 in third place, 18 miles behind the leader. He has benefited from starboard tack jibe by the Portuguese Francisco Lobato to attempt a Western adventure. More conservative, Henry focuses on its route, playing with the oscillations of the wind to get south to a way point that was clearly pre-determined.
Thomas Ruyant’s moment
Thomas Ruyant knows his Finot Conq is very comfortable in the medium wind conditions. He just made a brilliant demonstration of it by taking the leadership last night. The windiest conditions ahead then may be more favourable to new generation prototypes such as those of Bertrand Delesne and Maisons de l’avenir Urbatys à Henri-Paul Schipman, a Lombard 2008. Thomas is, thus, sparing no efforts in the ferocious jibes duel he started since the islands of Cape Verde, with two formidable opponents remaining very close. He also knows that Després, Le Diraison – that came back in 4th position, Boidevezi or Avram, are terribly threatening. Everything remains to be done with the ITCZ as a playground.
Crowd in Mindelo
Eight sailors are at the moment in Mindelo trying to repair their minis enough to face the long way to Bahia. The Race Direction is hoping that Brice Aqué and François Amaury will soon leave the ismand, in the wake of Bertrand Castelnérac that is already gone. The Norwegian Staale Jordan is the most concern, with a bow in very poor condition to repair with the limited resources available on the island. Already very distanced Maxence Desfeux and Caroline Vieille have also indicate their intention to stop…
Prototypes
1. Thomas Ruyant, DTF 1646.72 mn
2. Bertrand Delesne, +3.24 mn
3. Henri-Paul Schipman, +6.34 mn
4. Stéphane le Diraison, +30.89 mn
5. Fabien Després, +30.93 mn
Serie
1. Charlie Dalin, DTF 1737.53 mn
2. Ricardo Apolloni, +7.43 mn
3. Xavier Macaire, +18.37 mn
4. Francisco Lobato, +24,31 mn
5. Luca Del Zozzo, +41.89 mn
…
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