Offshore Racing

The fleet passed the northern course mark this morning. The race so far has been characterised by light winds, around a third of the race distance has been covered. A leading quartet has managed to pull away somewhat: Caroline Boule FRA leads ahead of Marie Gendron FRA and Romain Van Ennis FRA. Felix Oberle SUI is the first of the chasing group in 6th place, 6 miles behind. The race tracker and the Facebook page with the pictures.

Today sees the start of the Mini-en-Mai, a three-day 500-mile race off the coast of Brittany, in La Trinité-sur-Mer. At the start are 88 solo skippers, including Mathis Bourgnon SUI and Felix Oberle SUI. ----- The event website and the race tracker.

After crossing the finish line yesterday, Oliver Heer SUI with his damaged Open 60 also completed the 100 miles to Newport. The start of the ‘New York-Vendée’ back to France will follow in just 10 days. ----- The Facebook page of Oliver Heer SUI with video and report.

After 18 days and 10 hours, Oliver Heer SUI reached the finish line off New York last night in 25th place, thus fulfilling the entry requirements for the Vendée Globe. This morning he will sail the remaining 100 miles to Newport, where his Shore team is waiting to repair the battered Open 60. The start of the race back to France is already scheduled for 29 May. Clarisse Cremer FRA ('L'Occitane en Provence') is now the last one on the road, with 430 miles (around 2 days) to go this morning. ----- The race tracker, the reports and the Oliver Heers Facebook page.

The last 115 miles this morning for Oliver Heer SUI - the Swiss is currently sailing in a front with more than 30 knots and is making good progress. He should reach the finish this evening. ----- The race tracker, the reports and news from Oliver Heer.

On the approach to New York, Oliver Heer SUI was slowed down a little by a light wind zone (165 miles/24hrs) but with 215 miles to go should reach the finish tomorrow evening. The last potential finisher is Clarisse Cremer FRA (L'Occitane en Provence), who had a repair stop in the Azores for several days. She still has 780 miles left and should also reach the finish line in time (before 21st May) to qualify for the Vendée Globe. ----- The race tracker, the reports and the Facebook page of Oliver Heer SUI.

Last week, there was a new contact between orcas and a 15-metre Sun Odyssey off the coast of Morocco, during which the yacht got a leak and sank. The crew of two was rescued by a freighter. The report.

Still tough times for Oliver Heer SUI: due to a lack of sunshine, his only remaining power source failed, so he also had to steer himself during the day. Nevertheless, he made somewhat better progress yesterday and is now 730 miles from the finish. ----- In Class 40, Thimoté Polet FRA, sailing in 8th place, suffered a mast break 250 miles from the finish and injured his hand, so that he had to be rescued by helicopter. ----- The race tracker, all reports and the Facebook page of Oliver Heer SUI.

Meanwhile, 24 of the 26 Open 60 remaining in the race have completed their transat. Oliver Heer SUI is still struggling to make progress in 25th place, he was still 836 miles short of New York this morning. At the back of the fleet, Clarisse Cremer FRA (Occitane en Provence) has resumed the race in the Azores, 982 miles behind Oliver Heer. So far 5 of the Class 40 have crossed the finish line. Next up this morning is Vincent Riou FRA, the former Vendée Globe winner. The race tracker and the reports.

Three IMOCAs are still in the race, including Oliver Heer SUI, who is struggling at the end of the fleet to make progress with his damaged Open 60 (60 miles/24 hours). The decision was made this morning in Class 40: Ambrogio Beccaria ITA crossed the finish line as the winner after 11 days 16 hours, Ian Lipinski POL followed only 2 hours 30 minutes later in 2nd place. Fabian Delahaye FRA will cross the finish line this morning in 3rd place. The race tracker and the reports.

Another 8 Open 60 skippers crossed the finish line in New York yesterday, including Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) in 13th place, who had to let Isabelle Joschke FRA (MASCF) pass just before the finish line and arrive 15 minutes after her. At the back of the fleet, Oliver Heer SUI continues to struggle with his electronics failure: The autopilot and onboard electronics only work when the sun is shining, and Oliver has to steer the boat manually at night. Accordingly, he is making slow progress and endeavoring to reach the finish before 21 May to qualify definitively for the Vendée Globe. ----- The match race at the head of the Class 40 is likely to continue until the finish. This morning, 200 miles from New York, Ambrogio Beccaria ITA leads Ian Lipinski POL by 18 miles. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

Meanwhile, 9 of the 25 Open 60 remaining in the race have reached the finish in New York. ----- Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Team Snef) finished the race in 7th place, almost 13 hours behind. 57 miles are still missing this morning for Alan Roura SUI (Hublot), who is fighting for 12th place with Isabelle Joschke FRA (MACSF), who is 3 miles back. ----- The top of the Class 40 has also reached the flat zone off New York. The leading duo Ambrigio Beccaria ITA, sailing in sight, and 0.2 miles behind Ian Lipinski POL were still 425 miles short of the finish this morning. Fabien Delahaye FRA, sailing in 3rd place, should be able to reduce his 47-mile deficit today rapidly. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

Yesterday evening, Yoann Richomme FRA reached the finish line with his Paprec-Arkéa as winner of the Transat. He needed 8 days 6 hours for the 3'300 miles, which corresponds to an average speed of 16,5kn (28 km/h). This is his second consecutive victory after ‘Retour à la base’ last December, and he seems well-prepared for the Vendée Globe - the report. Boris Herrmann GER (Malizia) advanced to the end and finished 2nd just 2 hours 19 minutes behind, he was also very satisfied - the report. Just less than 6 hours behind, Samantha Davis GBR (Initiatives Coeur) was 3rd and Charlie Dalin FRA (Macif) also reached the finish. Sailing in 7th place, Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Team Snef) was still 30 miles short this morning and will reach the finish before midday. Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) also sailed a good transat, who in 11th place is still just under 200 miles short of New York. Oliver Heer SUI was able to provisionally repair his power failure, he will be at the back of the fleet for the remaining 1000 miles to the finish. ----- In Class 40, Ian Lipinski POL is back in the lead with 600 miles to go to the finish. However, Ambrogio Beccaria ITA is only 9 miles behind in 2nd place. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

Leader Yoann Richomme FRA (Paprec-Arkéa) was still 156 miles short of the finish line in New York this morning. As expected, the conditions are flat, Boris Herrmann GER (Malizia) has closed the gap to 16 miles, the race is not yet decided. Samantha Davies GBR (Initiatives Coeur) is 50 miles behind in 3rd place, but is still benefiting from better conditions. Among the winners of the day was Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Team SNEF), who has moved up to 7th place, 97 miles behind. Alan Roura SUI is still 11th, Oliver Heer SUI has suffered a total failure of the on-board electronics (report) and has dropped to the very back of the fleet. In Class 40, Ambrogio Beccaria ITA is now 71 miles ahead of Ian Lipinski POL. The race tracker and the reports.

Yoann Richomme FRA (Paprec-Arkéa) was still 380 miles short of the finish line in New York this morning. He should arrive tomorrow morning despite the dying winds. Boris Herrmann GER has progressed to second place, 66 miles behind. Charlie Dalin FRA (Macif) is 16 miles behind in 3rd, and Samantha Davies GBR (Initiative Coeur) is another 8 miles back in 4th place. Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Team SNEF) is in 9th place with a 205-mile backlog. Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) has moved up to 11th place and Oliver Heer SUI has also improved to 24th position. ----- In Class 40, Ambrogio Beccaria ITA is now 50 miles ahead of Ian Lipinski POL. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

The long-distance stage of the Solo Maitre Coq came to an end yesterday lunchtime in Les Sables d'Olonne. ----- Gaston Morvan FRA (Region Bretagne) won after 2 days of racing with a 7-minute lead over Basile Bourgnon FRA (Edenred). Susann Beucke GER and Anaelle Pattusch SUI follow in 27th and 28th place, just over 6 hours behind. ----- The race tracker with the classification and the reports.

Leading Yoann Richhomme FRA (Paprec-Arkéa) still had 890 miles to go to the finish in New York this morning, with an expected arrival on Monday evening. He extended his lead over Charlie Dalin FRA (Macif) to 48 miles. In the fading, inconsistent winds on the approach to New York, the decision is far from being made! With a gap of 66 miles, Boris Herrmann GER (Malizia) is now in 3rd place, followed by Samantha Davis GBR (Initiatives Coeur) just 2 miles behind. Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Team SNEF) could improve to 8th place with a gap of 146 miles. Alan Roura SUI is now 13th, and Oliver Heer SUI follows in 24th place. ----- Ambrogio Beccaria ITA has taken the lead in Class 40, 7 miles ahead of Jan Lipinski POL. 8 of the 13 Class 40 starters are still in the race. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

The fleet of 30 Figaro 3 remaining in the race is on the home straight towards Sables d'Olonne this morning. ----- The leader Gildas Morvan FRA was still 35 miles away this morning. 3 miles behind is Basile Bourgnon FRA. Anaelle Pattusch SUI has dropped back to 28th place, 39 miles back. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

In the center of the low-pressure area, the leading group is making good progress with aft winds. Yoann Richhomme FRA (Arkea-Paprec) has taken the lead, and Charlie Dalin FRA (Macif) follows 17 miles behind in second place. 50 miles behind the leading duo follows a chasing trio separated by only 12 miles with Paul Meilhat FRA (Biotherm), Samantha Davies GBR (Initiatives Coeur), and Boris Herrmann GER (Malizia). Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Team Snef) is now in 10th place, 118 miles behind, Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) is 14th, 160 miles behind, Oliver Heer SUI follows in 25th place. Jan Lipinski POL continues to hold the lead in Class 40. The race tracker and the reports.

The fleet was only briefly slowed down in the intermediate zone yesterday and has already reached the next low-pressure vortex. With fresh aft winds, the IMOCA are now travelling at more than 20 knots again. Charlie Dalin FRA (Macif) continues to lead with a 21-mile advantage over Yoann Richhomme FRA (Arkea-Paprec). Samantha Davis GBR (Initiatives Coeur) has moved up to third place, 55 miles behind. Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Groupe SNEF) is 89 miles behind in 9th place, Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) is now 16th, Oliver Heer SUI follows in 26th place. The race tracker and the reports.

In fresh northerly winds, the fleet made good progress yesterday, with reaching conditions enabling 24-hour distances of 450 miles. Charlie Dalin FRA (Macif) has regained the lead, followed within sight by Yoann Richomme FRA (Paprec-Arkea), 2.6 miles behind. Yannick Bestaven FRA (Maître Coq) is 22 miles behind in 3rd place. The Swiss advanced yesterday: Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Groupe SNEF) is now 8th, 68 miles behind, 20 miles ahead of her Samantha Davies GBR (Initiatives Coeur) as the best woman. Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) improved to 13th place and Oliver Heer SUI is now 24th. The rough conditions took their toll, 6 of the 33 participants have already abandoned the race with damage. Today the top will reach a flat transition zone, the fleet should move closer together. The Class 40 is also sailing close together: Leader Ian Lipinski POL is 5 miles ahead of Fabien Delahaye FRA. The race tracker and the reports.

After the start in moderate winds on Sunday, the fleet was hit yesterday by a first front from the west with rough waves and up to 35 knots of wind. Already 5 participants had to abandon the race with damage, including co-favourite Jérémy Béyou FRA, who broke the forestay of his Charal. Paul Meilhat FRA (Biotherm) is now in the lead, 3.5 miles ahead of Nicolas Lunven FRA (Holcim-PRB). Another mile behind is Charlie Dalin FRA (Macif) in 3rd. 30 miles behind, Justine Mettraux SUI (TeamWork/Groupe SNEF) has dropped back to 13th place, with Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) just 9 miles behind in 15th place. The race tracker and the reports.

In moderate winds, the three classes started their Atlantic crossing to New York in Lorient yesterday lunchtime. With fresh southerly winds of around 25 knots, the fleet is making good progress this morning. In the lead is favorite Charlie Dalin FRA ('Macif'), who already dominated the class last year. Jérémy Béyou FRA ('Charal') follows 8 miles behind in 2nd place. Justine Mettraux SUI ('TeamWork/Group SNEF') is also progressing fast, having moved up to 5th place 20 miles behind after a slow start. Alan Roura SUI ('Hublot') is 18th (39 miles behind), Oliver Heer SUI follows in 28th place of the 33 participants. In Class 40, Nicolas d'Estais FRA leads by one mile from Ian Lipinski POL. The race tracker and the reports.

'The Transat' was the first ever transatlantic race in 1960, the beginning of a boom in ocean sailing, which is today one of the most highly regarded sports. Today at 13.30 CET, the Transat marks the start of an intense season that will culminate in November with the Vendée Globe. The crossing of the North Atlantic from east to west is likely to take place frequently on upwind courses in the westerly wind belt, a tough test for the Open 60, which are optimized for downwind courses with a view to the Vendée Globe. Practically all the contenders are at the start of this further qualification regatta for the Vendée, including the three Swiss. It will be interesting to see how Justine Mettraux SUI ('TeamWork/Team SNEF') performs after having impressed last autumn at the Transat Jacques Vabre with an attacking strategy having lead for a long time. She has optimized her Open 60 in the shipyard recently, including new larger foils that are also effective in lighter winds. After the winter break, Alan Roura SUI ('Hublot') and Oliver Heer SUI will also be switching back to race mode. The next race back to Europe will follow shortly after the Transat. We will broadcast the start live from 13h, probably in light winds. ----- All reports and the race tracker.

With a lead of just 58 minutes, Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA crossed the finish line yesterday after 14 days and 20 hours as winners of the Transat Niji. After days of fighting, Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA had to admit defeat. Meanwhile, 7 of the 10 teams remaining in the race have reached the finish. The race tracker and the reports.

This morning, Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA will reach the finish line as winners of the Transat Niji. At the time of going to press at 7 am, they were still 30 miles behind and were making good progress in the trade winds. Following 10 miles behind are Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

Contrary to the (usually somewhat inaccurate) forecasts of the race tracker, the best trade wind conditions have materialised for the northern group, the sprint towards the finish - with 360 miles still to go - has begun. Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA are leading with a 25-mile lead over Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA. The race tracker and the reports.

The leading duo were still able to avoid turning into the flat transition zone to the south and thus keep their speed high. Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA were able to extend their lead to 9.5 miles. The two breakaways in the south were able to make up 100 miles. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

The fleet sailing in the north with north-westerly winds reached fresh winds again yesterday, with 800 miles to finish. These are likely to be much tougher to cross, as there is now the threat of a big lull until the finish. The two runaways in the south sail at good speeds in the trade winds, carrying them to the finish. Their gap yesterday remained stable at 1,000 miles. However, the race to catch up should begin today. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

After the fast ride through the North Atlantic, the fleet must cross the flat transition zone to the trade winds. This is bigger than expected, and the leading duo, sailing just 1.5 miles apart, has already slowed down. Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA are now leading. The breakaway duo in the south are making good progress in the trade winds, but are unlikely to make up the 1,000-mile gap. ----- The race tracker and the reports.