The Ocean Race Europe Fleet Battles Storms and Shifty Mediterranean Winds
Thunderstorms over Ustica: Lightning, Rain, but Little Wind
Overnight the leaders rounded the Italian island of Ustica in truly dramatic fashion. Brilliant sheet lightning ripped across the sky, heavy rain lashed the decks, and yet the breeze stubbornly refused to build. For the crews, it was a nerve-jangling mix: ghosting downwind in barely a whisper of air while braced for a squall that could hit at any moment.
With only 11 nautical miles covering the top four, every shift and every manoeuvre mattered. Yoann Richomme’s Paprec Arkéa (FRA) clung to a slender three-mile advantage over Paul Meilhat’s Biotherm (FRA), with Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia (GER) and Ambrogio Beccaria’s hometown heroes Allagrande Mapei Racing (ITA) snapping at their heels.
“It was definitely extremely tricky,” admitted Malizia’s Italian sailor Francesca Clapcich. “Thunderstorms, lightning, huge shifts — we seemed to be on the wrong side most of the time. Frustrating, but it’s all part of racing in the Med. This sea is never a joke, especially at this time of year.”
From Ghosting to Foiling Speeds
Once clear of Ustica the breeze flicked to the west, before quickly turning north, transforming the tempo of the race. Suddenly the IMOCA foilers were ripping along at over 20 knots, spray flying as they charged past Sicily’s rugged western edge and the island of Favignana.
The leading four have since split into two head-to-head duels: Paprec Arkéa versus Biotherm for the outright lead, and Malizia locked in a match race with Allagrande Mapei just astern. For sailors already deprived of sleep, the pressure is relentless. Trim the sails, watch the rivals, and pray that the next looming cloud delivers wind rather than a cruel dead patch.
“At the moment we’re averaging nearly 13 knots while Mapei are only doing eight,” said Herrmann from the Malizia nav station. “It all depends on the clouds — sometimes you’re lucky, sometimes not. We’ve got the spinnaker up, they’re on the J0. Every detail counts.”
Holcim and the Chase from Behind
Further back, Rosalin Kuiper’s Team Holcim-PRB (SUI) has been working hard to close the gap after being caught out by yesterday’s pressure line. British co-skipper Alan Roberts admitted the cloud cover felt oppressive, but insisted the crew was staying positive.
“There are no silver linings right now,” he joked. “But we’ll use whatever the clouds give us. Right now it’s wind, so we’ll take it. With more than 700 miles still to sail, there’s plenty of opportunity.”
Finding Joy in the Fight
On Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive, currently sixth, the mood is upbeat despite the miles to the leaders. French sailor Sébastien Marsset described the flat water and steady breeze as “the best sailing we’ve had since the race began.”
“It’s fun to steer by hand — in these short, choppy Mediterranean waves the autopilot struggles, but we can keep her driving faster,” he said. “Night will be different, but for now it’s good to really feel the boat.”
Compression Ahead
At midday, the leading four began to compress again as they approached yet another fickle transition zone south of Sicily. Paprec Arkéa still held the advantage, two miles ahead of Biotherm, with Allagrande Mapei three miles back and Team Malizia a further five behind. With the breeze unstable and more storm cells in the forecast, any of the four could yet seize the initiative.
For the sailors, rest is scarce, nerves are frayed, and the Mediterranean is once again proving why it has humbled even the most experienced ocean racers. With more than 700 nautical miles still to go before the finish in Montenegro, Leg 5 remains wide open.