The French racer, skipper of the Luthi 1090 Katana, crossed the halfway mark in the lead shortly before 4pm, ahead of François Thorens’ Psaros 40 Cellmen TBS. The direct pursuers, far behind, are Psaros 33 Raijin, Eole7, Makani and Carpediem Cube.
Conditions are still very fine across the lake, although the wind has died down a little, now blowing at 10-12 knots. Better established on the northern part of the course, the Bise favoured sailors who opted for the Swiss coast, while many competitors were stranded off Evian.
At the heart of the fleet, the Toucan Gaston 3, helmed by Patrick Ducluzaux, ran a remarkable race, as did the Grand Surprise La Mobilière, skippered by Beat Möckel. Surprise Farru, helmed by Yannick Preitner, seems to be leading the Surprises, ahead of LUC Voile – ForumEPFL 1 helmed by Felix Oberle and Léman sur Mer, helmed by Alain Fallot, not forgetting Arnaud Machado, positioned far to the south of the whole pack.
Conditions are set to remain stable, with the first real-time monohulls due to arrive in the early evening.