A disturbance will cross Brittany at midday this Sunday. Almost for the start of the race in the early afternoon. We will encounter gusts of 25 to 30 knots at the time of the departure. This is how Cyril Duchesne, from Météo Consult, presented the latest weather trends to the skippers during the weather briefing.
Two disturbances are crossing the Channel this weekend.
For the start, expect an irregular south-southwest wind of 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Rain is also expected as the cold front passes through.
In the evening, the sailors should encounter winds that will strengthen under the influence of polar air to reach 30 to 35 knots during the night, oriented Southwest, forcing them to sail upwind before heading due south. The sea conditions will be sporty with waves of 4m.
A descent on starboard tack in difficult conditions
The conditions will continue to deteriorate. Lines of squalls will also follow one another over the Bay of Biscay with a north to north-westerly wind in an increasingly unstable system averaging between 15 and 20 knots. A lot of heavy showers, waves and slapstick are expected.
On Monday evening, when the first boats arrive at Cape Finisterre, the conditions will have strengthened further, with 5m waves and gales of up to 45 knots.
The router, essential to manage the beginning of the race
The skippers will be assisted by a team on land. The router in particular will have the difficult task of plotting the route, a route and different choices depending on the state of the boat, the weather and the sailors.
