Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Class 40 - Transat Niji40 - Marie Galante FRA - Day 16
With a lead of just 58 minutes, Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA crossed the finish line yesterday after 14 days and 20 hours as winners of the Transat Niji. After days of fighting, Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA had to admit defeat. Meanwhile, 7 of the 10 teams remaining in the race have reached the finish. The race tracker and the reports.
This morning, Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA will reach the finish line as winners of the Transat Niji. At the time of going to press at 7 am, they were still 30 miles behind and were making good progress in the trade winds. Following 10 miles behind are Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA. ----- The 
Contrary to the (usually somewhat inaccurate) forecasts of the race tracker, the best trade wind conditions have materialised for the northern group, the sprint towards the finish - with 360 miles still to go - has begun. Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA are leading with a 25-mile lead over Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA. The 
The leading duo were still able to avoid turning into the flat transition zone to the south and thus keep their speed high. Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA were able to extend their lead to 9.5 miles. The two breakaways in the south were able to make up 100 miles. ----- The 
The fleet sailing in the north with north-westerly winds reached fresh winds again yesterday, with 800 miles to finish. These are likely to be much tougher to cross, as there is now the threat of a big lull until the finish. The two runaways in the south sail at good speeds in the trade winds, carrying them to the finish. Their gap yesterday remained stable at 1,000 miles. However, the race to catch up should begin today. ----- The 
After the fast ride through the North Atlantic, the fleet must cross the flat transition zone to the trade winds. This is bigger than expected, and the leading duo, sailing just 1.5 miles apart, has already slowed down. Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA are now leading. The breakaway duo in the south are making good progress in the trade winds, but are unlikely to make up the 1,000-mile gap. ----- The 
Best conditions for the fleet in the middle of the Atlantic, and with high speeds (17 knots), the leading duo is chasing towards the Caribbeans. ----- This morning, Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA are now leading with a 21-mile advantage over Xavier Macaire/Carlos Manera ESP/Pierre Le Boucher FRA. ----- The 
The front of the fleet has now reached a strong low-pressure zone, and the leading duo is already sailing southwards in winds of around 40 knots with speeds of up to 17 knots. Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marr- --The 
The fleet, now sailing south of the Azores, has reached a zone with fresh north-easterly winds and is now making rapid progress at high speeds of around 16 knots. Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA continue to lead with a 15-mile advantage. The 
Both the fleet in the west and the two breakaways in the far south are currently making fast progress in good conditions. Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA continue to lead the fleet in the west (north of the Azores), extending their lead to 22 miles. The 
The fleet, now led by Alberto Riva ITA/Jean Marre FRA/Benjamin Schwartz FRA, has reached a zone with calmer winds on its way west. Yesterday, the two outliers in the south lost further distance - the gap is now 230 miles. This morning, at the altitude of Gibraltar, they have reached the trade winds and should make up a lot of distance today. ---- The 
