So far the race remains exciting and close. We knew the fleet would not split in these six intense days, and the options as to how to cross the puddle were pretty clear.
Sailing up along the exclusion zone we are getting ready for what’s meant to decide the race. A clear opportunity to open a gap will be the Azores High, the boat which comes out first will enjoy more opportunities to win the race. After the Azores will have to close reach for three days and passing a boat then will be much more difficult.
Nobody wants to head east yet. On several occasions we were about to change sails because the shift we were expecting didn’t come in and we were getting closer to the exclusion zone everytime. Today it’s more about speed than strategy, we are all sailing in a straight line and waiting for somebody to make the first move.
The more miles we sail the sooner the shift will come. The big surprise was to see the girls move, as things are now they could either win the leg or finish three days later. The guys think it’s a risk they would also take if they were in the same position.
Vamos MAPFRE!
Francisco Vignale, OBR