Once again, the anticyclone dictates its law on this progression to the north. The riders ended up touching slightly more sustained winds in the northwest quadrant of this high pressure cell. They are now progressing in easterly north-easterly winds of 10 to 15 knots.
Yannick Bestaven on Maître Coq has regained a 2 mile lead, he leads the race over Charlie Dalin. But this lead remains very weak in view of the situation of the fleet. At this morning’s check-in, four navigators are sailing in a pocket handkerchief and are staying within 25 nautical miles.
The position of Yannick Bestaven is, on the other hand, very uncomfortable because he is downwind of three fine triggers. Damien Seguin on Apicil less than 40 nautical miles away will not give up to pick up on this group.
Maxime Sorel on V and B Mayenne is once again sailing closer to the high pressure cell, but he is also taking advantage of the wind which is freshening up with the latter’s shift.
Armel Tripon on L’Occitane en Provence and Clarisse Crémer on Banque Populaire continue their duo. Another day for them under moderate winds near the high pressure rim. However, this northerly flow will require them to tack in order to face the weak winds from the high pressure cell within 24 hours.
Win north
The level crossing remains relevant and this time it could benefit Romain Attanasio on Pure-Best Western Hotels and Resorts. It is not impossible that the influence of these high pressure calm will wane as it moves north. The strengthening of high pressures on the South American coast is working in its favor.
At the back of this race, for the skippers off the Malvinas Islands, the wind is not a problem. It is expected to stay above 25 to 30 knots in the southwest. The tracks obliterate to the north-northeast to target in the medium term the shift of the high pressure off Mar del Plata (Argentina). They will rely on the offset of the high pressure center and aim for its western quadrant to gain to the north.
The routing on Weather4D this morning gives a still grouped approach. The focus on Sunday 17th in the morning approaching the Doldrums validates this projection. Already, after 70 days of racing, we can expect to see a new start in the Doldrums area, because there is always a very random aspect to the passage of the Doldrums.
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