Race point

It's been 24 hours since the fleet of 16 Figaro Bénéteau 3s in the Solo Concarneau Trophée Guy Cotten set off on the 270 nautical mile course. The fleet, which is currently sailing off the Glénan archipelago, is now heading south towards the Birvideaux lighthouse off Quiberon. Martin Le Pape (Skipper Macif 2017) is currently in the lead, a few lengths behind Armel Le Cleac'h (Banque Populaire) and Eric Péron (French Touch). With 130 nautical miles left to go, the fleet is expected to cross the finish line in front of Concarneau in the early morning.

Alexis Loison (Région Normandie), who would have participated in his 14th consecutive edition this year had he not had to withdraw due to injury, gives us his analysis of these first 24 hours of racing and the next stage in the program of the 16 sailors in the race.

"The fleet remains fairly grouped, even if we have seen some boats make small tactical choices, especially after passing the Glénan islands where some boats quickly went ashore. Martin Le Pape (Skipper Macif 2017) did a great job between the Raz de Sein and the Pierres Vertes. He took the right trajectory by climbing higher than the fleet. Then, during the windward passage of the West of Sein this morning, there were two radical options taken by the fleet, between the open sea and the coastal navigation along the island of Sein. This clearly paid off better in the rocks and the leaders increased their lead at this point. 
The fleet is currently sailing off the Glénan, on the descent towards the Birvideaux lighthouse. We can see that the average speeds are starting to drop and that the thermal wind is having trouble settling in. This may give a boost to the charts. Once they have passed the Sud Guérande buoy, it will be a downwind speed leg to get back to Concarneau. It will be quite windy and depending on the wind strength, the sail choices will be very important. It can make big gaps laterally and each maneuver is very costly... The one who chooses the right sail from the beginning will come out on top. 
It's a bit strange to watch the race as a spectator, but it was much more reasonable considering my condition. My back is better and that's encouraging and it allows me to take a little break. My boat left Saint Gilles Croix de Vie this afternoon to return to Brittany, led by Erwan Tabarly, who should certainly cross the fleet of the Solo Concarneau! It's a little wink!"

At 4:30 pm, Cécile Laguette (Eclisse) and Michel Desjoyeaux (Lumibird) both notified the race management of the Solo Concarneau - Trophée Guy Cotten of their withdrawal and are heading straight back to port under motor. More information on the reasons for their withdrawal when the two Figaro sailors will be there. 

Positions à 17h 
1/ Martin Le Pape (Skipper Macif 2017)  
2/ Armel Le Cléac'h (Banque Populaire) 
3/ Eric Péron (French Touch)     
4/ Pierre Leboucher (Guyot Environnement)       
5 / Lois Berrehar (Bretagne CMB Performance)
6 / Will Harris (Hive Energy Ocean Attitude)
7 / Adrien Hardy (Sans nature, pas de futur)
8 / Pierre Quiroga (Skipper Macif 2019
9 / Sébastien Marsset ( Handicap Agir Ensemble)
10 / Gildas Morvan (Niji)
11 / Tom Laperche (Bretagne CMB Espoir)
12 / Clément Commagnac (Grain de Sable)
Abandons de Cécile Laguette (Eclisse) et Michel Desjoyeaux (Lumibird)