Tom Dolan contemplates Solo Maitre Coq Offshore Challenge
by Tom Dolan Racing 1 May 2019 14:47 BST
1 May 2019
For Irish solo racer Tom Dolan a low stress May day, today, is a time for recovery after two days of inshore racing in the Solo Maître Coq and time for homework and preparation for the 400 nautical mile long offshore race which starts Thursday.
Dolan, sailing Smurfit Kappa, finished in sixth place in yesterday's second inshore race of the series, from the 47 strong fleet of Figaro Beneteau 3s. Aggregated to a disappointing 31st in a topsy turvy light wind opener on Monday, the French based soloist from County Meath lies 19th overall as the contemplates the first solo long offshore for the new class. He is the top placed non-French skipper on the standings today but has Loick Peyron breathing down his neck in 20th and 2016 La Solitaire winner Yoann Richomme in 21st
"Monday's race was frustrating because those at the front were dumped to the back near the end and I was among that leading group but then yesterday I moved up from somewhere in the 20s to get sixth so it evens out over the two days." Dolan explained on the dock in Port Olona, the marina in Les Sables d'Olonne where the famous Vendée Globe is based.
"I certainly got things right in terms of the sea breeze coming in when it did today, I gybed early and got the right hand shift as it came in and made some good gains. The day before though there was a battle between the synoptic land breeze and the sea breeze and the sea breeze did not manage to fll right in, so that made it very difficult."
The inshore courses have been more of a test of close quarters manoeuvres and sail handling, sail hoists and drops, multiple tacks and gybes and predicting the angles of the next leg - so choosing the fastest sail combination. Sailing solo this is much harder than during the first event for the new class, the Sardinha Cup, which was sailed two up.
"To be honest I am quite happy with the manoeuvres. So far they seem to have been nice. I guess I put that down to the years in the Mini. And in the end we had a good nine to 10 knots so I am pleased with today." Dolan added.
The inshore races carry a points coefficient of 1.5 but the points bounty on the offshore race is 4 and so Dolan will make good use of his time today to make sure he has a full understanding of the likely weather situation around the course which is due to finish back in Les Sables d'Olonne on Saturday.
"I am pleased to be in the top 20 and in good company with some good guys around me. The boat is in great shape, perfect and I seem to able to sail fast enough. My starts have still not been good so I have to work on that. But I will spend the day resting, checking the weather as it evolves and doing a few stretches." Doland concludes.
Standings after two inshores: www.solomaitrecoq.com/classement-2019