The IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran carried out a strategic gybe shortly after midnight as it seeks out the Canary trade winds. Francis Joyon and his crew of five arte gradually moving away from the influence of the front associated with a low pressure area, which enabled them to get out of the Bay of Biscay at high speed and move onto the NNE’ly winds, which should veer easterly after the Canaries.
The red and white maxi trimaran had a very good day yesterday sailing 640 miles at an average speed of 26.7 knots in strong winds and rough seas. They have considerably reduced the gap over the Jules Verne Trophy reference. This morning they are sailing 97 miles behind their virtual rival. The wind is set to drop off during the day and it is in a range that remains favourable blowing at around fifteen knots that Joyon, Surtel, Pella, Herrmann, Gahinet and Stamm will make their way south to get to the ideal position in the Cape Verde Islands 750 miles to their south. As Francis Joyon stressed yesterday, he admired the bold move taken a few days ago there by the leader of the Vendée Globe Alex Thomson, as this is always a tricky moment in round the world racing with the high peaks disturbing the wind on the offshore route taken by these sailors.
