By completing this Transat Ecover-BtoB, Marc Guillemot stamps his entry ticket for the next Vendée Globe, even though this race hasn't gone quite the way the skipper had hoped... Straight into the leading pack up to the Doldrums, Marc Guillemot opted for a more W’ly course, which bore fruit since it enabled him to make a comeback just behind the winner, Loïck Peyron. However, at this point his canting keel system gave up the ghost and the solo sailor was forced to lock the appendage along its axis. As the days went by the speed differential could start to be seen and the leaders were able to make good their escape whilst the Breton had to face less favourable weather conditions. In the Bay of Biscay, the final sprint took on the form of a series of zig-zags against an E’ly wind, which had just turned hundred miles or so from the finish.

Marc Guillemot thus finished 23 hours 12 minutes 19 seconds behind the winner Loïck Peyron. Next up is Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) set to arrive early on Saturday morning. After that there will be a day or so before British sailor Samantha Davies (Roxy) and Yannick Bestaven (Cervin EnR) from SW France make their approach on Port la Forêt. 430 miles separate the duo from the Swiss sailor, and the battle is still raging between them as they are just ten miles apart once more. Finally, for the three Anglo-Saxons bringing up the rear of the fleet, the situation has considerably improved as they are approaching the Azores archipelago and have hit a more established S'ly: heading towards the goal at around eight knots.

 

Arrivals in Port la Forêt:

1-Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) in 14d 09h 13' 25''

2-Kito de Pavant (Groupe Bel) in 14d 12h 22' 49'', 3 hours 09 minutes 24 seconds from the first place

3-Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) in 14d 13h 43' 24", 4 hours 29 minutes and 59 seconds from the first place

4-Yann Eliès (Generali) in 14d 19h 22' 02'', 10 hours 07 minutes 37 seconds from the first place.

5-Marc Guillemot (Safran) in 15d 08h 25' 44'', 23 hours 12 minutes 19 seconds from the first place

Translation KJ