The denouement of the 15th CIC Normandy Channel Race is being written right now on the waters of the Baie de Seine. Benefiting from a more northerly position than Project Rescue Ocean (162), the Class40 Legallais (199) snatched back the lead yesterday evening on the approach to Guernsey. The fleet then spent most of the night stumbling up against the current as they negotiated the Alderney Race and Barfleur, forcing the crews into a series of zigzags level with the Channel Islands. Fabien Delahaye and Benjamin Schwartz were the first to extract themselves from this tricky zone and are now making their way across the bay, bound for Ouistreham. The Norman duo is expected to secure the win at around 09:45-10:00 UTC according to the latest estimates.
Project Rescue Ocean (162), IBSA (186) and Sogestran – Seafrigo (197) were the next Class40s to round the Cotentin Peninsula so they too are beginning their descent of the Baie de Seine. Astern of them, those skippers who selected the northern route at the Casquets TSS made a wise choice since they are now nicely lined up for the home straight. Less exposed to the current, Alternative Sailing – Constructions du Belon (196) has moved up into the top 5 right under the noses of Eora (169), Everial (177) and Captain Alternance (190). With those on a northerly and a southerly option squeezing back together this morning, the battle will continue to rage, piling the pressure on the skippers all the way to the wire…
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