Canaries ahoy!

“Last night was fairly peaceful, but a little tricky for the nerves due to a very fluky breeze. We had to be right on top of the trimming on a constant basis. Added to that, we’ve seen our playmates above (Maître CoQ IV and Fortinet – Best Western, editor’s note) going a lot faster than us. We think they were carrying a different sail to the one we had aloft. That’s how it goes. We’ll catch up on another occasion”, commented Martin Le Pape, this Saturday, whilst he and his associate were making headway midway between Madeira and the Canaries, in 9th position in the IMOCA fleet in the 15th Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre. “Next up is the negotiation of the Spanish archipelago. We’re trying to find the best way in so as not to be too impacted by the wind shadow created by the islands, which is significant”, added the co-skipper of Prysmian Group, who is delighted to be sailing in temperatures that are becoming increasingly warm so he can start removing layers of clothing and get changed for the first time since the start. The same is true for Giancarlo Pedote, who is aware of the misfortune suffered by Sodebo Ultim 3, victim of a collision with a UFO (unidentified floating object). “Aboard the boat, we have a very old and even a slightly outmoded method of anticipating this type of incident: we make offerings to Neptune! (Laughs) When you make a nice meal, you always set a little bit aside for him. That helps us and we have another thing that works a treat, which is a design done by my wife Stefania of some pretty eyes on the bow. This ensures that the boat has eyes and can find the best route through,” joked the Florentine, who is clearly in fine fettle.