Dutch Grit and Gybes: ROST Van Uden Take Command in AC1
Out on the water, Black Pearl (NYYC) still leads the fleet in real time with 124nm left in the tank. Hot on their heels, all punching down the same port gybe, are Beau Geste, Jolt 3, Caro, and Rán. A second wave, including Privateer, Imagine, Django WR51, and Teasing Machine, is driving in from the south, while Final Final and Zen are taking a flyer to the north on starboard.
Everyone’s still south of the rhumb line, riding a helpful northerly current—at least until 14:00 when the tide swings. From there, it’s forecast to soften and get flaky, with breeze dipping below ten knots. PredictWind has all models singing similar wind speeds but wildly different directions—so expect some drama in the final 100nm.
Behind Van Uden, it’s a knife fight for the podium. Zen (CYCA) sits second. The rest—Beau Geste, Final Final, Jolt 3, Privateer, and Elida—are packed tighter than a pub bar at last orders, all within an hour of each other after correction.
AC2: Drag Race to Cherbourg
Meanwhile in AC2, Callisto (RNZYS) had a cracking night and snatched the lead by a nose—less than a mile ahead of Jolt 6 (YCM) on the water. Both are flying down the course south of The Lizard with around 140nm to go. Beau Ideal (RHKYC) is a mere three miles back and pushing hard.
Up north, Baraka GP, Back 2 Black, and Albator threaded the needle through the Scilly Isles’ TSS chicane. Bold move—but will it pay off?
Wind-wise, the models agree: 12–14 knots for most of the run, with only a hint of a soft patch that might vanish before the fleet gets there. A veer to the south could open the highway to Cherbourg—a straight-line sleigh ride for anyone with the sail power to hold it.
On corrected time, Jolt 6 just edges Callisto by ten minutes. Beau Ideal sits 90 minutes off the pace. Albator, AMP-lifi, and Baraka GP are trading punches for fourth. Former leader Django JPK (YCCS) has fallen back, now five hours adrift on corrected time.
Pierre Casiraghi from Jolt 6: “We’re tired. We’re wet. No one sleeps more than another, no one eats more than another. But I’ve never seen this level of commitment. No complaints, just effort—pure and generous. Everyone looks after each other. We rotate roles. We take the knocks together. It’s cold, loud, uncomfortable—and still, there’s pride. I’m proud to be here. The noble sailor doesn’t spare himself. He lifts the team with his attitude. Out here, in the middle of nowhere, I’ve seen people do more than they thought they could. I wish everyone could feel this kind of honour.”