Race Report 3: The Fleet Enters Headwinds and High Pressure

Dar Mlodziezy (Poland) has benefited from a more easterly course since WP 2 and has taken up second place on the water ahead of her sister Mir (Russia). Ocean Spirit of Moray (UK) has done well to extend her lead at the head of the fleet.

The Class leaders on Corrected Time are below and are calculated using the effective distance the vessel has sailed during a given time and the vessel’ äóìhandicapäó or Time Correction Factor (TCF):

Class A 

1. Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway)
2. Dar Mlodziezy (Poland)
3. Mir (Russia)

Class B

1. Jolie Brise (UK)
2. Rupel (Belgium)
3. Atyla (Vanuatu)

Class C

1. St Iv (Estonia)
2. Spaniel (Latvia)
3. Ocean Spirit of Moray (UK)

Class D

1. Akela (Russia)
2. Tomidi (Belgium)
3. Bies (Poland)

The front-runners are beginning to benefit from better sailing conditions. They are likely to generally extend their lead over the back-markers, who are slowing up as they head into headwinds and the area of high pressure. With at least 500 nautical miles to go for all vessels, a lot can change with the weather patterns as they are, so we should expect many changes in Class placings as the fleet races towards Lisbon.

Photo: Christian Radich (Norway), Class A, crossing the start line of the Tall Ships Races 2016. Image courtesy of Richard Sibley.