As one and sole IMOCA, all of the Transat Jacques Vabre duos sail along one same straight line. No true tactical option here for the moment. The priority for strategists is to sail under the new depression coming up this Thursday on the French coasts, taking the shortest path to the Azores, a mandatory crossing point towards the West Indies.
The Fives Group IMOCA is first on the drift boat rankings this morning, thanks to a position slightly north (closer to the direct road) than its competitors.
Louis and Rémi also have the best time at 7AM: 17.5 knots (against 12 to 14 knots for their closer competitors). The two sailors are doing well in their race and ready to negociate this evening the second phase of this Route du Café.
Body and soul
After a rather physical start, putting down several competitors, the 2nd phase of this transatlantic is expected to be more strategic. Two windless bubbles that should fuse in the coming days are cutting the road. A quite rare situation, with which racers will have to work with. Our Fives duo has been thinking about it for several days now. Perhaps a median road?
That was the theory at least when they were on land. Louis and Rémi will refine or abandon it, according to how weather conditions evolve.
To know how to adapt
Like a company, offshore racers must always review their initial plans. Perceive the future, understand it, getting to know what competitors do, to know how to adapt their path according to all of these variables... and do it again. It's fascinating!
Message from the boat, received yesterday at night:
"2nd night racing: we are en route towards Cape Finisterre. We should reach it tomorrow in the late afternoon.
We spent the day sending back sails! We were also able to relax. We are about to get some reef at night, when the wind will blow back!
A lot of cargos and fishermen on the road... and we get out of Bay of Biscay, where a lot of shoaling was happening."
A respectuous and circular sporting event
The Fives IMOCA is an "upcycled" boat. Thanks to Louis, it lives a 2nd life!
Louis and his team gave a new life to a very damaged IMOCA because of a fire. This refurbishment undertaking was a real technical challenge... that succeeded in only 10 months!
Louis and his team continue to apply this upcycling principle and optimization research with a constant effort on sobriety throughout this Vendée Globe program.
Louis is also very keen on respecting everyone's work and giving a chance.
The Fives Group, a major partner in this Vendée Globe program, has been seduced by such commitment and values, as it shares the same values and responsibilities.
Fives, your partner for a more virtuous industry
For over 200 years, the Group has designed the breakthrough solutions and technologies that make industry what it is. From the first railways to the Eiffel Tower, through the spatial conquest, Fives always spearheaded the industry of the future. Pioneering decarbonization, the Group is an unconditional partner of the industry's energy transition. Through digitization, the promotion of a circular economy and the development of new processes and new energy sources, Fives puts its technological leadership to its customers' service.
www.fivesgroup.com