Race Director, Gilles Chiorri, has assessed the situation in the English Channel and Irish Sea, arriving at the conclusion that the wind is too light to send the boats up to the Fastnet. As a result, the course has been shortened to 400 nautical miles, departing tomorrow at 1600 from La Cornouaille.
The new course takes the skippers to Birvideaux, then up the Iroise Sea, around the island of Batz and the Wolf Rock lighthouse, before arriving into the UK Solitaire du Figaro stopover – Torbay, 17th – 21st June 2015.
The sailors, concerned about the quick turnover between legs, will be pleased to learn of the shortened course. The skippers have been doing well for resting so far – with an unexpected stopover in La Coruña due to worsening weather and a dismasting, and a shortened Leg 2 from there to La Cornouaille.
With three of the British sailors from the West of England, the Torbay stopover is set to be rather special. Last night, after taking 4th place in the Leg 2, Rockfish Red skipper Henry Bomby Sailing commented on his welcome into La Cornouaille, saying: “Arriving here after the finish was amazing. I’ve never been welcomed into a place like that – with everyone clapping. There are so many people, and everyone’s interested. It’s fantastic.”
Just you wait until the fleet sails into Torbay, Henry!
Posted by Artemis Offshore Academy on Saturday, 13 June 2015
Artemis sailor Andrew Baker competing in speed trials in Bordeaux 
1 Jun 3:39 PM – Bob Penfold: We are now in the starting sequence 1 Jun 3:39 PM – Bob Penfold: 1 min to go the fleet are split 1 Jun 3:39 PM – Bob Penfold: They are away on time 1 Jun 3:39 PM – Bob Penfold: We are now following the fleet, they complete a windeard/leeward in the river before heading of to sea. 1 Jun 3:39 PM – Bob Penfold: Making good progress to first windward mark 1 Jun 3:39 PM – Bob Penfold: Sam Matson currently in second place, early days yet 1 Jun 3:39 PM – Bob Penfold: Sam Matson second to the first windward mark 
