Normandy Channel Race: An epilogue to a passionate race
by Normandy Channel Race 2 Jun 2018 02:50 BST
2 June 2018
2018 Normandy Channel Race © Normandy Channel Race
The outcome of this thrilling and passionate 9th edition of the Normandy Channel Race will likely be revealed tomorrow morning through to midday. As has been the case each and every day, this fifth day of racing has brought its fair share of leader changes, strategic moves and Mother Nature's little foibles. Eleven boats entered the jaws of the English Channel this morning after a drama-filled negotiation of the Celtic Sea.
Now a theoretical 150 miles from the finish, 6 duos are grouped within a twenty-mile radius, offering up all the stifling elements of a great thriller in one delicious hit. Aïna Enfance et Avenir (Chappellier – Delahaye), Carac (Duc – Riou) and Imerys (Sharp – Pulvé) have all tested out the top spot according to the oscillations in the SW'ly wind, whilst V And B (Sorel – Carpentier), Lamotte Module Création (Berry –Le Vaillant) and Campagne de France (Merron – Mabire) seem ready to pounce the moment the wind or the sea state decide to play another prank. From long misty periods of solitude to euphoric sessions slipping along at pace, the competitors in the Normandy Channel Race have had it all. All that remains is to wrap this up, doubtless some time tomorrow.
"We're being attacked from all sides, only to end up where we started!" jokes Phil Sharp, thrilled at the game of cat and mouse in operation amongst the protagonists at the head of the fleet since the Fastnet. Indeed, there was a drive south in the bid to be the first to hit fresh breeze from the South-West, followed by some repositioning to the North to benefit from a better angle in relation to the wind, which has been a little more boisterous than forecast. To their great delight, these stable conditions have enabled the duos to find an extra gear and really push their rivals as far as they'll go. The upshot of this is that there have been three different leaders over the course of the day and there is virtually nothing separating them as they demonstrate a rare persistence that has them riveted to the helm to gain that extra metre that could well make the difference.
This evening, Aïna Enfance et Avenir is the very fragile leader of the fleet some 35 miles to the West of Guernsey. Just as quick and inspired, Carac and Imerys are on the attack. Phil Sharp is approaching his cherished Channel Islands, whose subtleties and currents he knows like the back of his hand. So close to the finish, and yet so far if we consider the significance of the obstacles still left to negotiate, all peppered by the visible pressure of some determined adversaries. Astern of them, some 25 to 30 miles behind, V And B, Lamotte Module Création and Campagne de France are more than prepared to take risks. As dusk falls, each of them will be giving their all to close on the leaders and position themselves for one of the most epic final sprints in the Baie de Seine overnight and through into tomorrow morning.
However things play out, and according to the evolution of the Grib files, a finish tomorrow morning, Saturday, before lunch, looks to be on the cards.
Quotes from the Boats
Phil Sharp (Imerys Clean Energy): "It's been unbelievably close racing in the front pack. Though we were sailing in completely different winds through the night, we are back to Aina snapping at our heels again. The pressure's fierce and we're enjoying every minute of it! The tidal effects at Barfleur will see the fleet compress I think so it's going to be incredibly tight tonight and if it's anything like the experience I had here in 2016 it could go right down to the wire and Carac is familiar with these waters."
Louis Duc (Carac): "We have 18 - 20 knots! We going to continue to attack! We should round Raz Blanchard with a favourable current, but the next stage isn't easy... There's nothing clear about it with the WNW'ly breeze we have right now set to vanish off the coast of Normandy..."
Nicolas Jossier (ManOrga): "We've just rounded Fastnet, lost in the mist, but audible from the sound of the backwash on the rock. It rather furtively saluted our presence with a few flashes. We're leaving the Irish coastline as slowly as we made our way along it. Our 'meandering' has left us with the impression of a wild, preserved countryside. We're now pointing towards Ouistreham, the current has finally been gentle with us and we've summoned the wind gods to give us a hand. It would be a shame if the front runners get the best deal again. In terms of survival, we've created an inventory of the food and water and it's a good job we decided to go big. We'd like to spare a thought for those who reckoned they'd be back on Friday! Under 300 miles to go now and we're putting pedal to the metal!"
Jack Trigger (Concise 8): "Cruising along the Irish coast with the A2 up and it feels like we must be getting good at this light wind sailing by now! Boat speed is good and while it looks like any chances to catch the leading pack are now slim, we're still focused on getting to the front of our group! There are some great boats back here that got stuck like us so we're in good company! Managed to get some sleep last night and eating well, ready for the next shutdown at the Fastnet - will it ever end?!"