Over the last weeks Marina Lanzarote has been a hive of activity, not just with festive celebrations, but in preparation for the third edition of the Panerai Transat Classique. The Canary Island has presented itself remarkably to all crews with obligatory parties, island tours and fruit delivered to the end of the passerelle for breakfast!
Today, at 16.00 local time, the fleet of 10 classics left for their Transatlantic Ocean race. There may not be as many participants as the organisers would like but the pedigree is there. The largest in the fleet is the 40 metre (133′) Fife Schooner Altair, who, without doubt is relishing the strong tradewinds forecast for the first few days. Accompanying her are a number of fast S&S yawls and other seasoned tried-and-tested regulars.
The race started with a windward leg in 15 knots of northeasterlies before rounding a buoy and heading south. 2 Sparkman & Stephen’s yawls, Argyll and Amazon, tussled together to be the first to hoist their downwind gear and shortly after the first major tactical decision was shaped. Leave Fuerteventura to the east or to the west. Amazon went right and Argyll went straight on!
Along with Amazon a majority of the fleet have decided the more direct route is preferable and have sailed between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and towards the central and western islands in the archipelago. With the prevailing wind looking a relative constant for the coming hours competitors will be hoping that it remains and will hope to take advantage of the island Acceleration Zones that can give substantial increase in wind speeds. However, this could turn out to be detrimental as an accurate prediction for the increased wind speed is essential (which can increase by as much as 10 knots in a matter of minutes) while undertaking their first night at sea. This, coupled with the potential of a major lull in the wind, before clearing the islands to the south/southwest, may not pay off, but if played well it could result in a useful advantage.
Argyll and the Dick Carter 13m sloop Corto have chosen to leave Fuerteventura to the west which will give them open water and potentially a faster angle once they clear the islands. However, they will sail a longer distance.
For now the fleet have a long night ahead of them. Amazon leads straight down the rhum line with Faiaoahe 2 miles behind while the schooners Altair and Adventuress are flying southwest at well over 10 knots boat speed. They have Vagabundo II, Gweneven, The Blue Peter and Desiderata in their wake ready to pounce if the conditions turn light. To the east Corto hugs the Fuerteventura shore with Argyll abeam a little further out to sea.
The fleet can be tracked by going to the Panerai Transat Website.
