HEAVY SEAS
Steady winds may well be pushing the yachts in the Panerai Transat Classique 2012 efficiently towards the paradisiacal destination of Barbados, but heavy seas are making life aboard uncomfortable for the crews. On Croix des Gardes, “prudence” is the watchword: “In classic sailing terms, Croix des Gardes is more like a Rolls Royce than a Ferrari, and yet… The wind has picked up but it’s brought with it a big swell. We’re experiencing 4 m waves which are breaking over us. We sailed hard all night, all sail set, an average of 8 knots, sometimes surfing up to 11 knots.[…] Everybody has put their life-jacket on and is clipped on just in case a rogue wave makes an appearance.” Same thing on Persephone: “We’re bowling along but the sea isn’t, for the moment at least, very comfortable.” Most are now concerned about the low waiting on the horizon. Red Hackle says it all: “The wind forecasts for the coming days are a touch confused as we get closer to this tropical depression. It’s likely that it’ll disrupt our fine east-north-easterly which was pretty intense last night. If it rolls well, it sails well… We’re eating up the miles towards the beautiful island we’ve all been waiting for.” In the pecking order, White Dolphin is progressively shaking off The Blue Peter but she’ll be the first to encounter the falling winds, and that’ll provide a chance for the others to catch up. Gwenevenhas fallen back two places behind Persephone and Corto. Behind them, Gimcrack, Croix des Grades and Cipango are being threatened by Valteam which just might create a surprise in real time. Artaius is still giving her all; while Marie des Isles seems to be relishing in her educational role rather focusing on the route towards Barbados. Follow the race at www.transatclassique.com
