Having been forced to slow for two days Ultim Challenge leader Charles Caudrelier has built some meaningful speed towards the east again and is heading towards Cape Horn at a little over 20 knots this morning with some 1200 nautical miles left before he can enjoy his deliverance from the Pacific Ocean. Strong winds are still expected for his passage of the Cape, but it is looking more manageable. His best option seems to be on Tuesday between two systems.
And likewise Armel Le Cléac'h (Banque Populaire) is also heading more directly towards Cape Horn on a SE’ly course after passing north of New Zealand. He enjoyed an encounter yesterday with a passenger cruise ship from the luxury French Ponant line off the NE corner of North Island and revealed also that he had suffered a minor injury to his nose. Armel is clearing an anticyclonic ridge and targeting the NW corner of a new depression which will take him at good speed towards Cape Horn which current routing predictions have him arriving on the 10th
Le Cléach has about 330 miles in hand over third place Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim 3), which is off the southern tip of New Zealand this morning, making just under 30kts. Coville is taking care in 35 kts winds with gusts over 40kts and six metre seconds, the seas expected to get a little worse as he progresses past the SE of New Zealand. But he will have strong winds right to the Horn, which he is expected to reach on the night of the 10th or early on the 11th of February.
In fourth Anthony Marchand skipper of Actual Ultim 3 is making good progress right down on the edge of the ice zone and he his going quite fast in a 20kts W’ly wind which he will keep through the early part of the week and he should pass Cape Leeuwin tomorrow Monday.
Éric Péron (Adagio) is doing well but has a depression coming to him today, which will bring winds of 30-35kts with gusts over 40, which will help keep him moving fast and help make up for time lost in the light winds since his Cape Town stop.
