The Transat Paprec ocean race is entering its final days with the fleet converging significantly, allowing trailing boats to close the gap on the leaders after weeks at sea. Changing weather patterns are providing an opportunity for teams who faced earlier setbacks to make up ground.
After taking a northerly route, the leading quartet — Wings of the Ocean, Cap St Barth, Les Étoiles Filantes, and Skipper Macif — have encountered lighter winds, slowing their progress. This has allowed the boats behind, currently experiencing faster conditions, to significantly reduce the distance across the Atlantic. Approximately 130 nautical miles now separate the bulk of the fleet laterally.
Among those pushing hard to improve position are Lola Billy and Corentin Horeau aboard Région Bretagne - CMB Océane. The duo experienced serious issues early in the race, including a pit stop in Lisbon to replace a damaged rudder and repairs to a spinnaker. Despite these challenges, they have been battling to climb back into the top 10.
Lola Billy described the effort since their stopover as "really tough" and "super intense." The team has been racing with an intensity she compared to the demanding La Solitaire race, a pace set by her co-skipper. This sustained push has been key to their Remontada through the ranks.
Corentin Horeau has a background in the intense Solitaire circuit, providing the experience needed for the sustained physical commitment this transatlantic leg demands. This has helped the team maintain focus and push limits even when fatigued.
Other international teams are also navigating the final stages of the race. Eight international duos began the race from Concarneau, France, including five from the UK. These teams, like Maggie Adamson and Calanach Finlayson on Solan Ocean Racing and Ellie Driver and Oliver Hill on Women’s Engineering Society, faced challenges simply reaching the start line due to issues securing financing compared to the more structured sponsorship landscape in France Transat Paprec.
The race dynamics continue to shift with windless zones impacting the fleet. The leaders are now forecast to cross the finish line either Thursday evening or Friday morning, local time. The uncertainty in wind models means strategy remains a factor in these closing miles.
The effort required to compete in this class of boat and race demands physical and mental endurance. Teams must manage equipment, strategy, and communication onboard while pushing for every mile.
Lola Billy maintained her team's goal was victory despite the ground lost earlier. "We are!" she stated when asked who would win, adding, "At least, we'll do everything we can to stay focused right to the end and push for the win."