While the Multi-50-Trimarans are following the classic route along the Iberian Peninsula, having reached the most southern point of Portugal with Thibault Vauchel-Camus/Fréderic Duthill FRA in a 67nm lead, the Open 60 fleet is split in two: A chaser group with among others Alex Thompson/Neal McDonald GBR (rank 17) went West hoping to touch the next low-pressure system as first. The leading group remained on a more direct leg with Kevin Escoffier/Nicolas Lunven FRA on 'PRB' 2,3nm in front of 'Charal' with Jérémy Béyou FRA/Christopher Pratt GBR. Charlie Dahlin/Yann Eliès FRA follow 6nm behind on rank 3. Charlie Enright/Pascal Bidegorry FRA are 6th. ----- The Class 40 fleet is still sailing upwind across the Bay of Biscay with Aymeric Chappellier/Pierre Leboucher FRA as leaders 3,6nm ahead of Fabien Delhaye FRA/Sam Goodchild GBR. ----- The race tracker, the news and the videos.

Opting for the preferred western route, the Open 60 favorite 'Charal' with Jérémy Béyou FRA/Christopher Pratt GBR rushed on rank one at speeds exceeding 20kn, but the persuers are not far behind. Samantha Davies GBR/Paul Meihlat FRA on rank 2 were 5nm back this morning UTC, closely followed by Charlie Dalin/Yann Eliès FRA and Charlie Enright USA/Pascal Bidégorry FRA neck and neck. ----- An unexpected incident changed the situation on top of the Class 40, as the leading Luke Berry GBR/Tanguy Le Turquois FRA lost the mast in moderate wind conditions. Fabien Delahaye FRA/Sam Goodchild GBR inherited the first place with Aymeric Chappellier/Pierre Leboucher FRA not far back. Louis Duc/Aurélien Ducroz FRA on rank 3 are already 16nm behind. ----- The three Multi-50-Trimarans have passed Cape Finisterre with Thibault Vauchel-Camus/Fréderic Duthil FRA already 50nm in front. ----- The race tracker, the news (in English, French and Portugese) and the onboard videos.

The start to the Transat Jacques Vabre was given yesterday in Le Havre, and in light winds, Damien Séguin/Yoann Richomme FRA were in front of the 30 Open 60s this morning UTC 1,8nm ahead of Nicolas Troussel/Jean Le Cam FRA. The favorite 'Charal' of Jérémy Beyou FRA/Christopher Pratt GBR advanced on rank 3. Charlie Enright/Pascal Bidegorry USA/FRA were 14th with a 16,4nm backlog. ----- In the Class 40, Luke Berry GBR/Tanguy Le Turquais FRA are on first 1,8nm in front of Fabien Delhaye FRA/Sam Goodchild GBR. ----- Today, the fleet will cross the Bay of Biscay in a 20k wind. ----- The race tracker, the news and the video of the start.

Today, the start to the Transat Jacques Vabre, that follows the historic coffee trading route between South America and Europe in the opposite direction, will be given in Le Havre FRA with Salvador de Bahia BRA as port of destination 4'335nm away. ----- 59 two-person teams participate in three Classes i.e. 29 Open 60, 27 Class 40 and 3 Multi-50-catamarans. ----- The Open 60 race promises to be spectacular as one year before the Vendée Globe round-the-world race, numerous latest-design constructions will for the first time be starting to an oceanic race. A new record time is very likely. Cited as key favorites are Jérémy Beyou FRA/Christopher Pratt GBR on 'Charal'. Charlie Enright USA, the only American engaged in Oceanic racing, makes his race debut on the Open 60 together with the experienced Pascal Bidegorry FRA. ----- Moderate winds have been forecast for the start at 13.15h UTC. ----- The event website.