Sailing is predicted to be tough along the reef for the first night, in windy conditions
Soon after the start. Image copyright Chantal Lhote.
by Florence Dhie
Nearly 500 people attended the "Rocher à la voile" in Nouméa (Rock sail) to watch the start of this second edition of the Groupama Race.
Very good show to windward when three boats arrived port-side (not in order of priority) and took precedence over the rest of the fleet:
1: la Province Nord, 2:ODM.NC, 3: La Réunion Pacifique Lagon Voyages...
In windy conditions - more than expected (15/20 knots from the South East) - the fleet headed towards the Woodin Canal. And quickly "Oysters Dumbéa", a Dufour 44 overtook its competitors. At 4:30 p.m. she was leading by more than a nautical mile ahead of the chasing pack.
Second at Goro's lighthouse "Eat better, move more" posted the best speed over 6 knots. He is followed closely by "Mumm".
Behind the battle rages, the fleet is still very bunched and the night will see tactical moves.
In back of the pack in 13th position, the "Young Marine" are struggling, and sail side by side with Nautilus, ranked 12th.
Ranking the top 10 boats crossing the lighthouse GORO
1) les Huitres de Dumbéa, 16h15mn10s
2) Mange Mieux, bouge plus, 16h22mn30s
3) Mumm, 16H24mn50s
4) Lagoon Ozone, 16H24mn55s
5) Province Nord 16h37mn30s
6) ODM.NC, 16h41mn15s
7) La Réunion Pacifique Lagon Voyages 16h43mn30s
8) Contact Immobilier 16h48mn30s
9) LNC Team Australia 16h50mn30s
10) Team NZ Ramada Plaza 16h53mn15s
In corrected time, currently "Reunion Pacific lagoon " leads.
Groupama New Caledonia Race
