While Oliver Heer crossed the finish line this Friday, the 17th, at midnight, all eyes are on Clarisse Cremer, the last IMOCA still racing. Blocked for two days in the center of the depression with low winds between 5 and 9 knots, she admitted her fatigue: 'I know it will come, I just have to be patient,' and she was right...She emerged from the low-pressure area last night at around 4am (French time), she now benefits from strong winds of 20 to 25 knots, allowing her to gain some speed.
At 360 miles from the finish line, she could once again be confronted with a small low-pressure system, but her ETA scheduled for 19 May would enable her to cross the finish line before the fateful closing date of 20 May.
© ONBOARD - Clarisse Cremer
In Class40, Anatole Facon, the only skipper still racing, is following in Clarisse Cremer's footsteps. Since yesterday, he has been facing very light winds of around 5 knots. "One of the strong points of this race is the transition zones between 2 lows, which require special attention. He has to be very vigilant if he wants to cross the line before it closes", says Francis Le Goff, Race Director. With 620 miles to go to the finish, his return before 20th May is still possible if conditions are favorable.
For Rémy Gerin aboard his Vintage FAIAOAHE, the route continues quietly, more than 200 miles from Anatole, he is also facing the centre of the low-pressure system at low speeds.
He is taking advantage of his passage to the Banks of Newfoundland to write a poem to his daughter. He should cross the line in the next 5 days.
