After five days of racing, in the Cap Martinique transatlantic race, the fleet is sailing off the Strait of Gibraltar this Thursday, May 05, 2022. The Madeira archipelago will be welcome for part of the fleet that needs to stop over for breakage or another, before tackling the long Atlantic crossing towards Martinique.
Launched Sunday May 01, 2022, from La Trinité-sur-Mer in Brittany, the first edition of Cap-Martinique got off to a flying start. The conditions got tougher, especially as they passed Cape Finisterre with gusts of 40 knots. The ride under spinnaker was epic, and there was some damage. The fleet has indeed crossed an ocean of pieces of wood, fallen from a freighter several weeks ago. ” Everyone touched a piece of wood, I had never seen such a thing » is surprised Mico Bolo, the race director. These 8 meter long boards – intended for the building – do not necessarily generate breakage but they wrap around the keel and force the sailors to maneuver to get rid of it.
Two boats out of the 38 at the start signed their retirement. Skipper Etienne Lefort injured his knee after 24 hours of racing. He managed to reach La Coruña by his own means but had to resolve to throw in the towel. Another abandonment today, that of Debbie Fish and Rob Craiggie (British Red Cross Disaster) who are on their way to England. The British announced to the race management that they had broken their pole.
Two first abandonments ????:
> Debbie Fish and Rob Craiggie retire following the failure of their only spinnaker pole.
> Étienne Lefort, who injured his right knee in the Bay of Biscay, also decided to officially retire after his medical examination. pic.twitter.com/foUT0eMaSc– Cap-Martinique (@Cap_Martinique) May 5, 2022
The archipelago of Madeira will be welcome for part of the fleet which needs to stop over before attacking the long Atlantic crossing. Patrice Carpentier and Frédéric Hoarer (Planète Urgence) broke a rudder. They can change it as soon as they can take cover. Rémi Rochard and Nicolas Watine (Planet Espoir) will have a slightly bigger job since their front pulpit has been ripped off and requires welding. They will stop in the East of Madeira where they will benefit from the help of a local shipyard.
Off the Strait of Gibraltar, the battle rages between two solo skippers, who dominate the rest of the fleet. Alexandre Ozon and Stéphane Bodin have been in contact since La Trinité-sur-Mer and nothing seems to want to separate them. In doubles, it is the Froment brothers and their Figaro 2 who lead the dance in real time. We will have to wait until Friday, May 6, at the end of the day to know the first rankings in compensated time.