If we had to choose just one adjective to describe the 2024 Transat CIC, this might be varied: from days when over 300 miles were covered to others when the daily mileage did not reach 150; from calm to torrential rain; from freezing cold to fog…
The tenth day officially opens the final leg of the regatta, the stage where the uncertain weather conditions add to the fatigue and the 500 miles still to be covered before reaching New York.
In the last few hours, the small fleet of Class40s has once again aligned itself along the great circle route, after steering clear of the contrary winds in the South and avoiding ending up in the middle of the Gulf Stream. In the morning the wind returned, but calm conditions could still arise.
Bona is in fifth position, with a gap of around 160 miles from the first Class40. However, there is still time to return to the attack perhaps taking advantage of the next calms, which his direct opponents will encounter first.
Alberto keeps his nerve, always focused on the strategy of this very difficult test. Meanwhile, the “flavour” of the coast is starting to come through, somehow heralded by a little bird that this morning perched on the side of the boat to rest. The arrival window of the Class40 IBSA, however, is still very wide, and involves at least two more days of navigation.
