Sam Goodchild, fresh from his Course des Caps victory, provides the day's fly past. Taking advantage of the smooth seas, within Benodet Bay, and twenty knots of westerly wind.
Stargazer sailed with the Course du Morbihan fleet. Jockeying for her share, of the faltering north easterly night breeze.
Which wafts us out of Lorient's western channel. Stargazer clipping the corner. Both to save distance and to cheat the incoming tide. As the race fleet heads east.
Off Larmor-Plage, the sea breeze fills in from the west. Stargazer sheets in and begins tacking, making short boards against an adverse tide.
With the wind light, progress is slow. Stargazer stands in toward Doelan. Seeking slacker tide within the concavity of the coast.
By midday the sea breeze is in. Stargazer strides along, in assured tacks. A reef in the main. Fighting her way west, in a rising swell.
One last tack carries Stargazer clear of the Trevignon headland. Gateway to Benodet Bay. The tide comes fair, the waves flatten and we ease sheets. Stargazer skims north at six and seven knots. Outdone only by Sam Goodchild, making for home (MerConcept) in Concarneau, at twenty.
Stargazer stands north. Wooded banks rise to either hand, quieting the breeze. Waves become ripples. Carefully we pick our way up a narrowing channel. For we have arrived, in Port La Foret, at low tide. Fortunately a neap, giving Stargazer half a metre to spare.
Picture Credits
Stargazer ground track screenshot: Courtesy of MarineTraffic.com
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