© Photo : Jacques Vapillon \ n.c. Press release The big slide This time, they are indeed gone. The wind came as expected from the west and all the fleet has begun to influence its course eastward. The prototypes are beginning to regularly exceed over the ten knots, the boats will set just slower. But above all the fleet, from north to south benefits of the flow that should accompany skippers for several days. If the first night was very quiet and therefore rather verbose with the VHF, the second could well be much quieter. When we are launched more than ten knots under spinnaker, we tend to limit the conversation to essential information, "Nothing to report, everything is fine on board ..." Especially that strategic issues remain: if, for the next three days, single handed skippers will be launched as cars on the Atlantic highway, the situation is not yet entirely clear as we approach the Gulf of Biscay. Hence, the temptation that exists to reach in the north to address the last miles with wind. The middle of the Gulf of Biscay can be particularly tricky and prudence dictates to put a little part of north in its way. However, some outsiders will perhaps play the card of the direct route: by reducing the road to cover, they can expect to recover precious hours on the favorites. In the prototype, all favorites pointing at the forefront of the northern route. Jörg Riechers (Mare.de) still holds the head but he must feel in his stern, the hot breath of the pack of pursuers started in pursuit. Jörg who admitted before the start of the islands to be quite sensitive to the pressure in the first place, will he resist? It should not be that good mechanics in place since the start of Les Sables d’Olonne binds, because they are many behind him who wants to enjoy it. Sebastian Rogues (EOLE Generation GDF SUEZ) leads the hunt together with Thomas Normand (Financière de l’Echiquier) who would like to leave his mark in the second step. In series, Xavier Macaire (Starter) and Davy Beaudart (Innovation Environnement) have adopted frankly divergent roads since the difference of heading between the two boats is more than 15°. Ysbrand Endt (Mediabrein) has been leading the fleet in favor of a right turn negotiated much earlier than his opponents. Truth of one day is sometimes illusion the day after. The position in the eastern fleet is worth to the Dutchman skipper to be as close to Les Sables d'Olonne in distance to the goal. But we know only too well: sailing navigation revels in more winding great circle road than trajectories drawn with chalk. Latest signs Despite these ideal conditions, some competitors complained a few minor damages but that can quickly fill the life of a single-handed sailor. Bruno Simonnet (El Nono) reported few problems with the electronic that, by moment, for no apparent reason, suddenly picks up. Benoît Lenglet (Evasol) has, meanwhile, tore his spinnaker and was successfully engaged in menial work of sail. In short, it is incidents of everyday life when you are racing, but it is also reflect the level of commitment of the skippers. While waiting to play leapfrog again wave crests, sailors could still appreciate the signs of the proximity of the archipelago: encounters with dolphins, or even crossing a whale, no wind, only missing the starry sky that corresponds so well to the heart of an anticyclone. But no ... the Azores had donned their gray suit, the days of drizzle. Just to help move on.  mercredi 18 août 2010 Brèves : Fabienne Robin est arrivée Vol 774 pour Les Sables Bruno Simonnet et Marc Vertes sont arrivés Benoît Lenglet est arrivé Les trois mousquetaires Vidéos : Clip vidéo Remise des prix 28 août aux Sables Arrivée de Véronique Loisel aux Sables Arrivée de Pascal Chombart de Lauwe Téléchargement : ... Embarquez ... :  Vous souhaitez embarquer sur un bateau accompagnateur... RSS feeds Réalisation : Adonnante.com | Design : fabienne.est.une.indienne | Hébergement : BleuRoy.com