Inaugural CIC Med Channel Race Day 5 - Accordion atmosphere on the trajectories

On the eve of the arrival in Marseille of the first competitors of the 2025 edition of the CIC MED CHANNEL RACE, the face of the race has once again changed significantly in 24 hours.

While the two leaders, CREDIT MUTUEL (No. 158) and CENTRAKOR (No. 183), continue their duel that began on Monday and the passage through Calvi, their stride over the last 24 hours seems to be slowed by a calm zone that now lies in their route to Marseille. The 4-mile gap between them still leaves the final winner open in the Bay of Marseille, likely midday tomorrow.

Conversely, the pursuers are galloping forward, still benefiting from the easterly winds blowing in from southern Sardinia in recent days, and the gaps are closing significantly. It is therefore likely, according to the routing, that No. 3 PRENDRE LA MER / AGIR POUR LA FORÊT (No. 89) and No. 4 AQUAMARIN (No. 135) will find themselves quite close to the leaders tomorrow upon arrival in Marseille. Similarly, the group of six pursuers, who were almost 300 miles behind the leaders yesterday, have reduced their gap by around a hundred miles and are closing in at full speed tonight on the Balearic Islands and the island of Mallorca, which they will circle overnight. Smiles have returned on board, and the fleet has glided along in around fifteen knots of wind in the sunshine, a consolation after two days previously spent watching for the slightest breath of air on the surface.

Tomorrow, Friday, the 10 Class40s still in the race will begin their 6th day of racing and, given the many situations encountered and adventures encountered, we can imagine that on board things are starting to look quite tense. It's hard not to imagine the tension between Ian Lipinski / Alverto Bona and Mikaël Mergui / Keni Piperol, who for the past 96 hours have been between 0.1 miles and 4 miles apart, watching for every variation in speed, however small, every action from their rival, every sail to change, every opportunity to find or every mistake to avoid: a mixture of marathon and Diagonale des Fous and we can't wait to see their faces at the finish.

Find out more at www.med-race.com