Par Gilles Festor
Published 1 hour ago, Updated now
Maxi Banque Populaire will take second place in the Arkéa Ultim Challenge. Benoît Stichelbaut / Benoît Stichelbaut / BPCE
Thomas Coville is heading towards Hobart for a stopover, and Armel Le Cléac’h will pass north of Tasmania.
Leaving Brest on January 7, Charles Caudrelier (Edmond de Rothschild) continues his solo rider at the head of the Arkéa Ultim Challenge. At an average speed of more than 30 knots in the Pacific Ocean, the sailor heads towards Cape Horn and distances his two closest rivals a little further each day. Behind the winner of the Route du rhum 2022, Thomas Coville (Sodebo) and Armel Le Cléac’h (Popular Bank) are preparing for eventful days.
The first, which still occupied second place in the ranking this Wednesday afternoon, 2,889.5 miles from the leader (almost the distance of a Rum Route), continued to head towards Hobart for a technical stopover in order to repair damage. « Part of the balcony (area at the front of the central hull, Editor’s note) has torn off and the protective net which allows you to move around the bow of the central hull during sail changes », explained his team, as two huge depressions reared their heads. These could even force the oldest of the race (55 years) to extend the stop at the port in the capital of Tasmania.
Not very reassured, Coville took the liberty of warning Armel Le Cléac’h, who follows him in the ranking, about his situation: « I needed to warn him of my intention to stop. Because in our sport, a bit like in the mountains, we have this way of thinking, this philosophy, this obligation to provide assistance to someone who may be in danger nearby. So when you’re in a race, very often, it’s your most direct competitor who is your “angel” : the person who would be likely to come to the area. »
The unique route of Le Cléac’h between the Australian continent and Tasmania
Armel Le Cléac’h, in fact, had to adapt his trajectory in the South Seas to avoid the too violent winds to come. The “Jackal” therefore chose to climb north to pass through the Bass Strait, which separates Australia and Tasmania, while usually sailors embarked on a round-the-world trip go down much further south, skimming the area. of Antarctic exclusion. « The weather is deteriorating sharply with a deepening front that will last several days », explained the recent winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre, who could even overtake New Zealand from the north! « This will lengthen our journey, but it is the price to pay in order not to take any risks, preserve the boat and continue with peace of mind. », conceded the sailor, who, after stopping in Brazil during the descent of the Atlantic, was 3,164 miles from Caudrelier this Wednesday. And this despite an enormous performance in recent hours: 841 miles covered in 24 hours, the second best time achieved solo aboard an Ultim.
A formidable performance that he will have to repeat many times if he wants to have a small chance of achieving victory and Charles Caudrelier, for the moment untouchable. On a regular basis and unless a technical problem forces Edmond de Rothschild to slow down his infernal pace, the gap is almost insurmountable. It is currently measured at five days. A hole.
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The positions in the score of 15 Arkéa Ultim Challenge
