Transat Paprec Day 11 - The Battle of the Leaders
by Transat Paprec 1 May 03:34 NZST
30 April 2025
Now past the halfway point and sailing through the heart of the Atlantic, the competitors in the Transat Paprec are still locked in an intense battle. A windless zone expected later this week is drawing everyone's attention and forcing tough strategic decisions.
With so much at stake for the final result, the fleet is delaying its choices for as long as possible. For now, Wings of the Ocean (1st), Skipper Macif (2nd), and Cap St Barth (3rd) hold the podium, thanks to their more northerly position compared to their rivals. Here's a full race update from Race Director Francis Le Goff of OC Sport Pen Duick, the event organizer.
A Complex Weather Scenario
All weather models show a large area of light winds stretching from the Caribbean to the mid-Atlantic. The trade winds—typically reliable—are expected to "collapse," as Yoann Richomme said yesterday. However, the zone seems less threatening than it did a few days ago.
"Even if the wind is lighter and uncertainties remain, there's still some breeze to be found when crossing it," explains Race Director Francis Le Goff. While the skippers are still more than 800 nautical miles (1,480 km) from the zone, they are already thinking carefully about how to minimize the slowdown during the crossing.
Skippers' Strategy Under Pressure
Sailors now face two main priorities: choosing the right trajectory and maintaining the current pace. The coming days will be so complex that it's vital to stay as close to the fleet as possible. "They all know falling behind could come at a high cost later on," says Francis Le Goff.
So, what route to choose? "There's a lot of hesitation. Nobody wants to make the wrong call and waste all the energy they've invested since the start." As a result, "major decisions are being postponed." "It's like they're pushing them back as far as possible," adds Francis with a smile. Current conditions—14 to 18 knots of wind this afternoon—allow progress without having to fully commit to a final course just yet.
A Slight Edge for the Leading Trio
Latest rankings and tracking data clearly show a breakaway group forming in recent hours. Wings of the Ocean, Skipper Macif, and Cap St Barth—all furthest north—now have a lead of more than 20 nautical miles (37 km) over their closest challengers.
True, wind conditions have been slightly more favorable than expected for the southern group, sailing around 50 nautical miles (92 km) further down. But the leading trio has carved out an advantage that goes beyond simple positioning.
"They've made a strong impression—they're in sync with the weather and the rhythm of the race," says Francis. "They're making the right moves, not missing their shots... It's important not to underestimate the psychological impact of those choices."
This slight edge also translates into a real performance boost: extra motivation, sharper decisions, staying focused, and resisting overconfidence—key elements for staying out front.
What's more, their proximity to one another "creates healthy competition, pushing them to give their absolute best"—another psychological advantage.
High Suspense Remains
Despite the lead of around 30 nautical miles (55 km), gaps are still small. For example, only 40 nautical miles (74 km) separate 4th place (Martin Le Pape and Mathilde Géron, DEMAIN) from 12th place (Maël Garnier and Catherine Hunt, Selencia - Cerfrance). "For now, nothing is decisive," stresses Francis Le Goff. This uncertainty is also linked to the technical situation—some crews have yet to disclose any onboard issues, which could still influence the race outcome.
Expected Arrivals Between May 8 and 10
Initially, the first arrivals were predicted around Wednesday, May 7. Due to the complex end-of-race weather, this estimate was pushed back to Sunday, May 11 or Monday, May 12.
However, recent routing models show some improvement. "We've gained a little ground," says Francis Le Goff.
The race is now in a "stabilization phase," and the first boats could finish between the evening of Thursday, May 8 and the morning of Saturday, May 10. Until then, everything is still up for grabs!
Track the fleet here.