Figaro fleet ready for leg 2 start in Gijón
The 45 solo sailors make final preparations, attend the official prize
giving for the first leg from Le Havre to Gijón and skipper briefing
to embark on tomorrows’ start of the 2nd leg; 418 miles from Gijón
in Northern Spain to Brest in Finisterre.
The prize giving ceremony held at Casino of Gijon on Monday lunchitme,
in the presence of local authorities, gathered all the Figaro
skippers, followed by the weather and safety briefing at 18:00, the
last official acts before the start of leg 2 tomorrow at 14.00.
Trophies and prizes were awarded to the first sailors to finish in the
Spanish port but also to the best placed “bizuth” that is to say
newcomer to the Solitaire, Yoann Richomme on DLBC who finished seventh
overall. The skippers who were first at the intermediate marks got
each a check worth several hundreds Euros.
As the shore teams give the final touches to on board arrangements and
double check every detail on the Figaro II boats, the sailors busy
themselves with weather forecasts and plan strategy options in between
resting and relaxing before tomorrows start on what looks to be a
another demanding race to Brest.
The race back across the Bay of Biscay to SN1 landing buoy situated
some 14 miles to the west of Noirmoutier and approximately 235 miles
away is on a straight line. A light established breeze of 3 to 6
knots from the North and big swell coming in from the North is
forecast for tomorrow 14:00 (local time) start just outside the
harbour of Gijón. Conditions should freshen over the course of the
afternoon to 6/9 knots estimates Météo France’s Sylvain Mondon.
“The fleet will encounter an area of low pressure on the first night,
which they will need to negotiate and once passed this should get a
stronger 10 building to 15 knots of breeze for their reach to the
first course mark.” He continues.
The fleet will then sail up, tacking their way upwind passed the
various islands along the Southern Breton coastline, where the choice
is open to sail round east or west of Belle-Ile, just the île de Groix
must be left to port. The sailors will then round Finisterre and
Eckhülm lighthouse followed by 20 miles across the bay of Audierne,
before negotiating for a second time the passage of the Raz de Sein.
This can be deliverance for some or a true nightmarish experience
depending on the time of approach and the turning tides.
The final part of the 2nd leg will consist of a final run to the
North, leaving La Parquette tower to starboard. The fleet will set a
course for Brest harbour with the narrow entrance, which can still
hold some surprises in store on the final miles to the finish.
“Basically there is a long and quick stretch across the Bay of Biscay
followed by some careful coastal racing, with numerous points of
passage, rocks, islands and currents to negotiate before the finish in
Brest.” Sumarises Race Director Jaques Caraës.
“The race will not be decided until the very end, and I reckon that
the back of the fleet will have the chance to get closer to the
leaders when the wind comes round from the South West towards the end
of the race” said Race Director Jaques Caraës “and the last part
is quite tricky, especially if the tide will not be favourable, with
strong current and rocks to be avoided.”
The winners on stage at the Casino Gijon
Photo Credits: Courcoux-Marmara/Le Figaro
To download the picture click here :
http://www.yousendit.com/download/T1VrbGtLUEN0QTN2Wmc9PQ
High resolution photographs for editorial use available upon request
Reminder of the key dates:
- LE HAVRE
Suzuki Prologue: Sunday 25th July
Start of the 1st leg: Tuesday 27th July
- GIJON (515 miles)
Start of the 2nd leg: Tuesday 3rd August
- BREST (418 miles)
Expected arrival of the boats: Thursday 5th August
Start of the 3rd leg: Monday 9th August
- KINSALE (349 miles)
Expected arrival of the boats: Wednesday 11th August
Start of the 4th leg: Monday 16th August
- CHERBOURG-OCTEVILLE (435 miles)
Expected arrival of the boats: Thursday 19th August
Closing Parade: Sunday 22nd August
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