After losing sight of the Belle Isle last night around 11 pm, Queen Mary 2 sails on the direct route at 25 knots. The small Eastern wind finally died this morning at the exit of the Bay of Biscay and gave way to a huge area of calm sea that extends from the tip of Cornwall to the coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Offering its passengers a motionless cockpit, the giant traces a perfectly straight wake that is visible from the bridge N ° 13 on a few miles back. In contrast with the ocean liner that will sail at 480 miles per day on the direct route no matter what, the four Ultime Trimarans must now invent a perfect trajectory.
Surely the departure in the light and sunny airs of the Loire estuary were ideal for the tens of thousands spectators attending this incredible match. But too few winds are not sufficient to compete against the four Motors of 21 000 horse power of one of the largest ships in the world. As the cannon fired the decision was made. The sailors will have to tack along the Brittany coast by going inside the Islands and finally succeed to hang to providential depression that will arrive on the Ireland on Monday night.
As the cannon fired, the decision was made. The sailors will have to tack along the Brittany coast by going inside the Islands and finally succeed to hang to providential depression that will arrive on the Ireland on Monday night.
After an extraordinary start in the Loire’s estuary, the race is on. Heading to the Northwest for the 4 multihulls that must cross a quiet area (blue circles) today before getting - finally! - the South-West wind of a depression heading towards the Ireland.
It will be a long day for the sailors as the. Without doubt, the outcome of the first day will be heavy with probably 300 miles of deficit on the schedule.
The following night, Tuesday and Wednesday seem to be a lot better and more sailboats will be closer to depression, more the Southwestern wind will rise (up to 20 knots) before the eye of the phenomenon (black circle) shifts to Connemara and switch the flow to the Northwest.
Under a grainy sky the sailors should tack (just under the black centre of depression) and attack a large starboard tack to the center of the Atlantic. They announced 20 and 30 knots through winds, speeds should easily reach 30 knots, or even 40, if they choose to pull the bar a bit.
On Tuesday, for the first time since the start, the four competitors will probably reduce the gap with Queen Mary 2. An achievement and a real joy in this overwhelming match.
For the sailors, it will also be the time to make a crucial choice.
- Stay on the North route, go meet the Newfoundland depression on Thursday and get ready to tack along Ice Zone? (red Road).
- Dive South to try to pass by a small high-pressure (HP Brown line) that detaches the Azores anticyclone and provide a new opportunity?
Positioned more South, the multihulls could take better advantage of the Southwest winds that are expected for the second half of the course. And why not, again, offer a bit of suspense!
Dominic Vittet