To Barcelona from Nice, not exactly a walk in the park......

At eight minutes past noon today the six IMOCA Open 60's which comprise the Istanbul Europa Race fleet broke the start line for the second of three stages of this inaugural round Europe race, bidding farewell to Nice and the iconic Promenade Anglais for the final time, heading for the proud Catalan capital, Barcelona.

In a gentle breeze which was enough to propel the fleet from Nice's Bay of Angels and to still set a few traps for the departing unwary crews, the fleet answered the start gun, knowing how important this second leg is. As well as being a chance for improvements after the lessons of the longer first leg from Istanbul to Nice, for overall race leaders, the crew of Estrella-Damm 1876, there is the added pressure of knowing all eyes are on them as they head for the home city of skipper Guillermo Altadil and sponsors Estrella Damm.

While the second leg is much shorter than the first, 420 miles compared with 1380 miles, it scarcely offers less of a challenge. Indeed while the course, leaving the Balearic island of Minorca to starboard (on the right), is shorter, it is likely to keep the fleet more compact and so the pressure will be constant. The arrival of the first boats into Barcelona is expected some time on Thursday.

The memories of the odyssey from Istanbul to Nice are fresh for some, raw for others as the six IMOCA Open 60's set off, the only significant mark of the course being Minorca, and while there will be small strategic choices to be made, Istanbul Europa Race director Jean Maurel reported this morning: : "A NE'ly wind should make it fairly straightforward running to Minorca but from there and the finish there there will be about 100 miles which will be more difficult to cross. And as you get closer to the finish, and Barcelona then the area is more under the influence of the Pyrenees. But we made this course the way it is so that it minimizes the lottery factor. I hope for the crews that this will prove to be true.”

Six teams seeking victory.

The slow, frustrating first stage has left its mark on all the crews. And coming back into the second stage, each has been clear about their ambitions to success. The Spanish team on 1876, current overall leaders, are seeking to keep their many supporters happy. Consistent and inspired so far, the team of Guillermo Altadil have set themselves as one of the favourites for overall victory.  But once again, the heat is on again in the Mediterranean.

Source : www.istanbuleuroparace.com