This race has not got going. The Open 60’s are not built for windward work and that is what they are getting at the moment. The Azores High has been replaced by a Low and the result is serious headwinds. There are more favourable winds to the west but the boats have a nasty front to get through so as to reach them.
Damage mitigation whilst clearing that front is important. Once past the Front then the best option looks to be to head west of the centre of the low lying west of Madeira and get into a NW-N’ly air stream which looks as if it will be the Trade Winds.
Then the race will start.
Alex is in a good position considering the conditions. He needs to get through the front without damage and then he can open up that machine of his.
I get the positions of the fleet via Alex Thomson Racing.com