Leading Boats Head For Home

Bayer and Foncia were the only ones early this morning to have rounded the main island of the Azores.

Yvan Bourgnon’s Bayer rounded Sao Miguel island at 3 :50 this morning in a light -knots wind. Bourgnon has been leading for 48 hours . Foncia-Kingfisher of Alain Gautier lies close behind. Franck Cammas aboard Groupama is in third, about miles behind.

The two leading trimarans are now heading for Gibraltar, 957 miles away. The ETA is still on Sunday,
It is still very close racing between Bayer and Foncia-Kingfisher as Alain Gautier and his crew only lies 8 miles behind the leader. Theses two boats should soon get a stronger westerly-south-westerly breeze and increase their downwind speed.

Lalou Roucayrol’s Banque Populaire resumed racing last night and is also sailing in light airs towards the Azores.