Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert), winning the first stage. Image copyright Jacques Vapillon/www.jacquesvapillon.com
by Marie Le Berrigaud-Perochon
WOW Cap Istanbul fleet is taking their first break after arriving in Ragusa, Sicily where the first leg of the race ended. Now the only thing on the sailors' minds is to sleep lots, rest and gather strength for the second leg.
The first racers to go to sleep were of course the ones that finished the race the earliest and naturally the ones to wake up first to take walks in the marina, chatting about how the race went.
Close finish. Image copyright Jacques Vapillon/www.jacquesvapillon.com
The sailors that finished the Hyéres-Ragusa leg in the front lines cannot yet fully relax. Effectively, they have over 1000 miles all the way to Istanbul ahead of them. They are still at the start of this long marathon.
Listening in on their conversations, the racers were evaluating their experiences in the first leg. Questioning their mistakes, seeking for their reasons and figuring out what measures to take in order to overcome these errors in the upcoming leg.
Macif 2010 finishing. Image copyright Jacques Vapillon/www.jacquesvapillon.com
At another corner of the marina, Sébastien Josse (Vendée) and Mickaël Mergui (TPM) were excitedly sharing their experiences. The conversation eventually took them to their common passion for fishing.
A city tour on tomorrow's itinerary
Coming together around a pizza, François Gabart (Skipper Macif 2010), Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert), Erwan Tabarly (Nacarat), Romain Attanasio (Savéol) and Fabien Delahaye (Port de Caen Ouistreham) were discussing the best way for changing sails.
Sailors get together on the pontoons. Image copyright Jacques Vapillon/www.jacquesvapillon.com
There were ones that dealt with more serious topics however. Marc Emig (Marc Emig & Moi) and Mathieu Girolet (TPM) were talking about how difficult it can be to convince business firms for long term sponsorship, despite both their involvement in the world of business.
On the sidelines of all the conversations, discussions, exchange of ideas, there were some sailors caught up in 21st century business. Some were updating their internet pages, some putting down their notes on their facebook page, some downloading music they will listen to in the Ragusa-Athens leg...
The last racers to arrive in Ragusa, Arnaud Godart-Philippe (Senoble), Jonny Malbon (Artemis) and Louis-Maurice Tannyéres (ST Ericsson) were fast asleep while all this was happening.
Sailors get together on the pontoons. Image copyright Jacques Vapillon/www.jacquesvapillon.com
After a city tour tomorrow, sailors will start working on the weather reports and the course. The preparations for the start of Athens leg on the 26th of September on Sunday will soon be in progress.
WOW Cap Istanbul
