French skipper Francis Joyon, competing in the Oceans class (vintage multihulls) his ORMA trimaran, Océans on day 2 of the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe Monday afternoon.
According to initial reports, Joyon has confirmed that he is uninjured. The skipper is doing well and is currently on his way to Ireland, where he is to be disembarked. Joyon, won the 2018 edition in the Ultim class.
Weather conditions in the area are manageable, with winds of 20 to 25 knots and 2-meter waves.
The leaders of the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe, the Ultim giants of the ocean, were making the best of the fast conditions as they sprint westwards on the second day of racing since leaving Saint-Malo.
After a gybe in the small hours of the Monday morning Tom Laperche (SVR Lazartigue) has incraesed his margin to 44 nm ahead of Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire), with Thomas Colville (Sodebo Ultim 3) in third 68 nm back. Charles Caudrelier (Gitana 18) is fourth.
In the IMOCA, Corentin Horeau (MACSF) has taken a 21 nm lead ahead of Ambrogio Beccaria (Allagrande Mapei) and Sam Goodchild (MACIF Santé Prévoyance).
In the 49 strong Class 40, pre-race favourite Guillaume Priouelle (Sogestran Seafrigo) leads 6.5 nm ahead of 2012 470 Olympian Pierre Leboucher (Insititute Imagine) and Jules Bonnier (Plastic Odyssey). Quentin Le Nabour (Bleu Blanc Planète Location) has dismasted while he was in the top five.
Outstanding favourite in the Ocean Fifty class, Basile Bourgnon (EdenRed) has built a 15 nm lead ahead of Pierre Quiroga (Wewise) with Thibault Vauchel Camus (Solidaires en Peloton) by Delanchy in third.
Sidney Gavignet has eased the famous Le Cigar Rouge into the lead in the Vintage Mono class, 16 nm ahead of Kieran Le Borgne (Armor-Lux). While