Repairs session aboard the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild
Sailors, athletes, fine connoisseurs of the weather and technicians... Offshore racers have to be versatile because even if back on land they rely on a team of top-flight specialists, once they’re at sea, they must be able to sort out situations that can hinder the boat’s progress on their own. Yesterday, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier had to get out the tool kit for the first time. We offer you a glimpse at all that and more via our media man Yann Riou.
TODAY’S VIDEO
Entry into the Doldrums
“We’ve had a problem with the gennaker spool. The spool or furler is what enables the sail to be furled, which is something we weren’t able to do anymore. The gennaker tack line had come out of the furler and it was stuck. It was a real problem because the sail measures 400m2, and we’re coming up to a potential squally zone where this type of incident can have much more serious ramifications”, explained Charles Caudrelier. Indeed, the main course on today’s menu has to be the entry into and the negotiation of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. Leading the way, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier will logically be the first to feel the effects. The two sailors, who have traversed this race zone too many times to mention, are all too aware that once you’re within the clutches of this system, you have to constantly be opportunistic and on the look-out for any opportunities that come your way amidst the clouds, some of which contain breeze, others calm.
Watch this space...
Ranking on Saturday 9 November 11:00 UTC
1.MAXI EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD (Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier / Yann Riou) - distance to the goal: 11,139 miles - average speed over the last 30 mins: 34 knots
2.MACIF (François Gabart / Gwenolé Gahinet / Jérémie Eloi) – 47.4 miles behind the leader - average speed over the last 30 mins: 35.5 knots
3.SODEBO ULTIM 3 (Thomas Coville / Jean-Luc Nelias / Martin Keruzoré) – 164.9 miles behind the leader - average speed over the last 30 mins: 28.4 knots
4.ACTUAL LEADER (Yves Le Blevec / Alex Pella / Ronan Gladu) – 369.5 miles behind the leader - average speed over the last 30 mins: 30.3 knots