The inaugural Course des Caps – Banque Populaire du Nord turned a corner on Wednesday — literally and in spirit.
Goodchild claims fastnet sprint victory
At dawn on Wednesday, Sam Goodchild and his MACIF Santé Prévoyance crew became the first to round Fastnet Rock, at 3:20am.
Not only did they arrive earlier than forecasted, but they also claimed Sprint 3: the Custopol–Yacht Club de France Trophy.
Soon after, Holcim – PRB (Nicolas Lunven), Association Petits Princes – Quéguiner (Élodie Bonafous), and VULNERABLE (Thomas Ruyant) rounded Fastnet within 45 minutes.
After over 1,000 nautical miles, the IMOCA fleet remains tightly grouped — a testament to skill and determination.
Tough sailing, incredible scenery
Earlier in the race, the route between the Isles of Scilly and Fastnet tested every crew’s stamina.
Sailors faced shifting winds and non-stop sail changes. Goodchild called it “demanding but rewarding,” after fighting to retake the lead.
Meanwhile, along the Irish coastline, the visual magic balanced the tactical pressure. Bonafous blew a fuse mid-leg but fixed it just in time.
Lunven summed it up best:
“The wind’s tricky, but the views — cliffs, dolphins, colour — are absolutely incredible.”
Race management alters the course
To keep the race on schedule, organisers made a key decision on Wednesday morning.
Instead of rounding Out Stack in the Shetlands, the boats will now round the Orkney Islands, specifically Papa Westray and Ronasay.
This 220-nautical-mile cut means boats may finish as early as Saturday afternoon in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
That schedule aligns with the Tour de France’s arrival in the same city, creating a major weekend event.
Lunven supported the decision: “It keeps the race flowing without taking away from the sporting value.”
One retirement as wind builds
While the frontrunners celebrated rounding Fastnet, Fabrice Amedeo and his crew on FDJ United – Wewise confirmed their withdrawal.
Citing tight schedules and Vendée Globe 2028 planning, Amedeo is now heading for Lorient.
This is the first retirement of the Course des Caps. The remaining ten boats all rounded Fastnet by Wednesday morning.
From drifting to flying
After days of drifting in light winds, the IMOCA fleet is now preparing for a dramatic gear shift.
From Thursday, a building southwesterly breeze of 20–25 knots will push the boats downwind toward the Orkneys.
“It’s finally time to go fast,” said Arnaud Boissières of 4CAD – La Mie Câline. “We’ve almost forgotten how that feels!”
Speed, strategy, and surging momentum
Onboard, the energy is rising. Sam Davies (Initiatives Cœur) described the vibe as “cool and zen — even in tough moments.”
Bonafous added, “I’ve got itchy feet. I want to fly.” That sentiment is shared across the fleet.
As speeds increase, so do the risks — and rewards.
Strategic sail choices and precise lines could make or break the leaderboard. The 24-hour crewed monohull distance record is also under threat.
Now, with foils down and winds up, this inaugural IMOCA race around the British Isles is entering its most thrilling stage.
