A tricky start

After setting sail early afternoon yesterday from Cowes, Prysmian Group and the 18 other IMOCAs still out on the racetrack in the 48th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race (V and B having retired last night due to an issue with her mainsail head car) started off the race in a medium wind, which enabled them to get clear of the Solent and Poole Harbour fairly rapidly before spending the night in ‘slo-mo’. The reason for this was that they had to negotiate a transition phase and, as a direct result, a calm zone along the southern coast of England. Giancarlo Pedote and Anthony Marchand, who opted to play further offshore in the hope of being the first to latch onto the new SW’ly breeze, were unfortunately not rewarded by their efforts. At midday this Sunday, they’re lying in 12th position some 15 miles shy of the leaders. These leaders are currently negotiating the passage off Land’s End, the most westerly point of Cornwall and England, and the Scillies TSS (traffic separation scheme). As soon as the fleet is clear of this obstacle, the pace is set to pick up considerably as they reach to the legendary Fastnet Rock some 170 miles ahead, which they’re likely to round over the course of tonight.