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Press release Leg back: the diagonal of madmen
Tuesday, August 17 at 13h (UT), will be given the start of the second stage of Sables - Azores - Les Sables. A highly strategic course that could dig a few differences. Faced with the puzzle's weather of the start, it's a safe bet that competitors will adapt their strategy in terms of personal issues of each competitor. The potential winners to outsiders, through those who ‘run for the plume’, detailed review of forces involved.
The treadmill promised to the single handed skippers of Les Sables - The Azores - Les Sables, generated by a west flow should promise a few good slides. Only one problem: to get on the footboard of the train of depressions that run across the Atlantic, it will take up to above 40 ° N, is about two hundred miles to the north of the Azores. And here is the dilemma : how long will it take to extend its route before starting the flashing right? By trying too soon to follow the direct route, we take the risk of being caught up in the light air generated by the Azores anticyclone. In seeking to ensure climbing very north earlier, you can also make too much road and take a gap that expected speed will not fill. Suffice to say that the first days of sailing may be crucial. Also arriving on the coast of France will not the easiest to negotiate. Between two low pressure systems, the Gulf of Biscay may hold some surprises. Some projection courses give an arrival from the north-west, with a landing on the coast to the height of Belle Ile. This implies then, nearly one hundred miles of coastal shipping, managing obstacles, currents and warm breezes, without forgetting the densest maritime traffic near the coast. Not ideal when you get seven days at sea and that there is a lack of sleep.
Uncertainty ahead of fleet
For leaders, the pressure may be high. We'll have to apply to extricate itself from the clutches of the anticyclone and knowing how to negotiate the best turn toward the east. In prototypes as in series, the differences between the first two are low enough to include a few anxious hours on board. We'll have to keep a cool head when the wind decreases suddenly, be abble to analyze if the best is to alter its coursetowards the north or be patient and remain faithful to its strategic line. It's a safe bet that the rankings provided by the organizer at the radio session of midday will be awaited with impatience sprinkled with some scent of concern. Jörg Riechers (Mare.de) as Bertrand Delesne (Prati'Buches) know they have a small blanket advance their two pursuers Sébastien Rogues (EOLE Generation GDF SUEZ) and Andrea Caracci (Speedy Maltese). But in the expected conditions, anything can still switch. In series, the duel between Davy Beaudart (Innovation Environnement) and Xavier Macaire (Starter) will mobilize all the attention, especially as Jean-Marc Allaire (Baker Tilly AG2R La Mondiale) is under threat by Robert Rosenjacobson (NED 602) and Jean-Marie Oger (JMO Sailing). Conservative strategy or risk-taking, the choices will be difficult.
Nothing to lose except honor
For others, this step will look like a revenge on the lot. This will obviously true for Thomas Normand (Financière de l’Echiquier) and Nicolas Boidevezi (G.D.E.) will want to show that they had their place in the top rank of this race, besides their technical avatars. Thomas, a newcomer to the circuit, immediately feared this race as a test before the next Transat 6,50 in September 2011. We learn as much if not more, of its failures than its successes. The young skipper was able to measure how the fact of belonging to a professional team like that of Jean-Pierre Dick, does not absolve him from learning a certain autonomy. Head well done, the young applicant has already learned his lesson. Next winter will be divided between training sessions on water and needed upgrading of its technological background to be able to cope in the event of damage. Nicolas, meanwhile, was totally in the game before breaking his bowsprit on the first leg. A prestigious victory would allow him to remember the good memories of his competitors. For both, one thing is certain: all strategic risk-taking is allowed and the temptation to seek radical options will not suffer with the syndrome of who possesses is afraid of losing everything.
Record straight
Finally, for others, this second step will be an opportunity to turn the page of a first leg not always negotiated the best. Between strategic mistakes, difficulty entering the game, small techniques problems does not allow the best use of the boat's potential, many are expected from this leg a redemption. Véronique Loisel (De l’Espace Pour La Mer) wishes to show that his swing character deserves better than a leg rotten by recurring worries of autopilot. Amaury Francois (amauryfrancois.com), the head of the provisional national ranking series boats, want to demonstrate that this first place is not by chance, when Jerome Lecuna (I Feel Good), strong with the repairs carried out on the mast and few days stopover in Horta, wish to demonstrate that, freed of later developing problems of his boat, he has the capability to titillate the tenor of the ranking.
Well! This little world has good reason to believe his lucky star. It remains to be negotiated eight days of sea and a path which is not very orthodox in terms of gun of geometry. But we all know: it is sometimes the most devious paths that allow players the most cunning to reach their opponents checkmate. Who will find the right diagonal? That is the question of this return home.
 mardi 17 août 2010
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