Friday, August 3 - 01h00 (Québec) 7h00 (France) - After the spectacular finish of the last two multihulls at sunset yesterday off the big walls of Saint-Malo, fans and spectator are now getting ready to welcome the fourth boat and first monohull, the 50' Vento di Sardegna skippered by Italian Andrea Mura who is expected to cross at around 10 this morning.

Around two hours later, another exciting moment for the many spectators gathered in Saint Malo: the arrival of the highly competitive Class 40 where the final result is far from decided. Leading since five days Halvard Mabire on Campagne de France and his most dangerous adversary Jörg Riechers on German-flagged Mare have been keeping on duelling, despite the twists of luck on one side or the other on both boats. Last night Mabire had, as a matter of fact, a very comfortable margin on Riechers until the boat had a very unfortunate close encounter with a giant sea turtle that damaged one of the rudders, a problem that has slowed down the white and green boat, that is sailing in 15 knots of south/south-westerly. Slightly more north, Riechers is still pushing hard and has reduced his gap to a mere 13 miles, thanks to a lower and faster angle and to the favourable current. The German skipper seems to have some edge on Mabire and could possibly steal some more terrain to the leader over the last 60 miles to the finish line. The first boats are expected in Saint Malo from 1pm but their finishing order will only be known by then in a high suspense ending of one of the most exciting editions of the race so far.

Event media

See Transat Quebec - Saint-Malo images

Last Updated ( Friday, 03 August 2012 )