Clash of the titans

One must not underestimate the strong psychological aspect of the battle looming below Newfoundland. Both Riou and Peyron are becoming increasingly careful with their choice of words, and will start to prove more and more vague when commenting on their tactics during the audio calls. Loick has won the event twice, and given his current position, boat performance and strategic clairvoyance, it would be strange if the question of a third victory wasn't raised at some point. For the cold-blooded Riou, withstanding extreme pressure is an entertaining game, and he had certainly made a brilliant demonstration of his capabilities during his winning Vendée Globe. Solo master Jean Le Cam had been breathing down his neck, yet Riou never made one single mistake and gained his famous "Vincent le Terrible" nickname on that occasion - a nickname which was bestowed upon him by an admiring Le Cam.

But considering the end of The Artemis Transat will look like a Figaro leg - tricky, coastal, and sleepless - the "Jackal factor" should also be envisaged. Who would have thought that a polite, well-educated and soft-spoken young man like Armel Le Cléac'h could have inherited such an aggressive moniker? Ever since he joined the Figaro class, Armel has been known for his patience and calm, always waiting for his hour, and switching to attack mode with a very accurate sense of timing. Beating Alain Gautier in the final stage of the 2003 Solitaire literally on the finish line, the young "Jackal" had captured overall victory for 13 little seconds, leaving only a second place to French solo legend Gautier, notably winner of the second Vendée Globe.

"I'm happy to be in the hunter's position", unsurprisingly confided Brit Air's skipper this morning. "Anything can happen given the situation expected for the last two days of race. We'll be playing along the coast, the opportunities to make a move should be numerous." Clearly the leading trio can expect to spent their last nights at sea without any sleep, but Riou, cool as ever, merely commented "That's good, at least we won't get bored." Concentrated or resting before the final battle, Loick Peyron remained silent - which is not necessarily a good sign for his rivals.

Lying fourth, Yann Elies aboard Generali declared this morning that he had given up his hopes of victory or even second position... "I have to sail 120º away from the direct route to cross the ice gate, it's going to be costly" said the skipper who this afternoon is now 133 miles away from the leader, and as Jean-Luc Nélias put it this morning, the quartet is turning into a trio.

A coastal finish
The ideal route simulation sees PRB pass only 6 miles away South of Nova Scotia… and the problem with that coastal option is that the sailors would then encounter the same difficulties as on a Figaro race: land-induced effects, fishing nets, tidal currents and many other traps. A slightly tweaked route, deliberately avoiding the coast, costs an hour on the whole, and it’s not a high price to pay given the uncertainties you’re then able to evacuate. The race should be action-packed with a 4th placed boat a little bit behind, and a fierce battle for the podium. The role of leader will be a very stressful one.
Full article by Jean-Luc Nélias here

Sam Davies's look at the race
"I'm still hanging in there, my goal is to try and keep up with Marc Guillemot... In my opinion Safran is the best boat in the IMOCA fleet, so catching Marc will be hard. I'm kind of hoping Vincent hangs in there, if he wins it he'll be ecstatic. Four years ago he dismasted with the boat which is now mine, I know he really wants to finish this one. As far as Loick Peyron is concerned, he's been up there for the whole of the race, I'm not surprised to see him in this position."