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02.10.2008
In the land of the Gods, amidst the islands…
Tomorrow, Friday, the fleet of the “European Capital of Culture – Cap
Istanbul” will take the start of the 4th leg at 1100 hours, bound for the
small Turkish island of Bozcaada just a stone’s throw away from the
Dardanelles Strait. 300 miles (555 km) long, this course will lead the 28
solo sailors amongst various strings of islands, and the Cyclades in
particular, in the southern section of the Aegean Sea. Fairly free in their
route options, this leg is already shaping up to involve a whole host of
trajectories, traced at the mercy of a supposedly downwind breeze, which for
once is forecast to be steady…
The 28 soloists in the Cap Istanbul are happily preparing for a very fine
voyage. On paper and according to the latest files, this 4th course, the
penultimate leg prior to the magic of Istanbul, promises to be fabulous. The
reputation of the Aegean Sea, with the Sea of Crete to the south and the
Thracian Sea to the north is just about behind them now. Welcome then to the
Gods of the eastern Mediterranean and its constantly changing majestic
landscapes. With its waters steeped in history, myth and legend, this leg is
guaranteed to fuel many a conversation for years to come.
Improvisation and optimisation
In this ideal setting, the 28 solo sailors will interpret the 4th act of
this long Trans-Mediterranean race. With the backdrop of the Aegean for a
long while, this course is all about instinct and improvisation, and there
will doubtless be some surprises along the way as they slip along past
Greece en route to Turkey. “It certainly won’t be monotonous: this 4th
course promises to be as beautiful as it is lively, confides Gildas Mahé (Le
Comptoir Immobilier). Nevertheless, we’ll have to try not to take the risk
of zigzagging every which way. On each leg, you have to sail well from
beginning to end, but you have to hunt down success sometimes too. We’ll all
be looking for the optimum trajectory which will certainly not be very far
off the direct course. That obviously doesn’t mean that we can’t try our
luck here and there as we round the different islands…”
It should be mentioned that certain islands, such as Amorgos, the most W’ly
of the Cyclades Islands, are situated smack bang on the direct course.
Trying to work out whether to leave them to port or starboard will certainly
be a gamble but fine tactics will doubtless be a great asset in this high
risk game.
Favourable, manageable conditions
As regards the weather for this 4th leg, the forecasts have been “fairly
stable for a few days now” according to Christian Gout, Race Director, still
allowing the skippers a hope that the Greek Gods and the local figures of
legend will be on their side and in good spirits. After a tricky start,
given the risk of calms, the 28 skippers are set to rapidly make headway
downwind as they catch a SSW’ly breeze of around fifteen knots in their
sails. With manageable and favourable wind, the spinnakers will be hoisted,
which is something the fleet will relish after the rough conditions in the
Ionian Sea with the prevailing winds on the nose.
It reindexs that for the time being, the majority of the sailors are refusing
to make any guesses about the Mediterranean, which – from west to east – has
already shown them many different faces. After a quick look at a computer,
the afternoon is spent enjoying the easy, gentle pace of Crete. Isabelle
Joschke (Synergie), winner of the last leg, won’t be misled: “I could spend
my day running the grib files and the weather models, but it would serve no
purpose. I prefer to go on a little tour of the hinterland and look at it
again this evening”
Quotes from the boats
Armel Tripon (Gedimat): “Still nearly 300 miles to cover in the Aegean Sea
so it’s not exactly a short leg. I’ve never been to this area; during the
last edition when we sailed double-handed, we were a lot further west. This
route goes straight through the middle of the Greek Islands, leaving the
Cyclades to port, but the course is fairly free so we’ll have to select the
right route. In principle, we’re likely to set off in relatively moderate
downwind conditions, but there may be the threat of a gale over the weekend.
We’re going to have to refine our strategy and prepare ourselves well in a
bid to race a good fourth leg as this race is far from over and a lot could
still happen."
Thomas Rouxel (Défi Mousquetaires): “Unfortunately there’s not a lot you can
do to try to understand what happens in the Med. The weather conditions are
really very special; you never get what’s forecast. It’s extremely
changeable and unpredictable and, despite having already covered 1,250
miles, I still can’t work out what’s what... I’m going to attack though. I
am here for the competition above all and there’s no way I’m going to give
up. I’m going to try to get the most out of it and if I manage to get a
better result then so much the better…”
Louis Maurice Taynnières (Nanni Diesel): “It’s a bit hard, but I’m on
holiday and making the most of my time. This race is an absolute revelation;
it’s the first time I’ve sailed single-handed. I’m not disappointed though.
With every leg, I manage to suffer less. However, it’s true that the Figaro
and the one design context push you into trying to transcend your own
capabilities. The next leg promises to be fairly technical: managing sleep,
rounding the islands… Whatever happens, I’m really enjoying myself and given
this initial participation I’m happy in my decision to invest my energies
into a full season next year…”
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
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