21 Apr Kingspan duo make promise on a strong start
Currently sitting in 8th position going into the fourth day of the Banque Populaire Grand Ouest Trophy, Tom Dolan and Gildas Mahé are meeting their race plans of starting strong and sitting at the front of the fleet.
The Kingspan duo faced a demanding opening to the race but rose to the challenge, holding positions between 4th and 8th during the first 24 hours of competition. From the outset in the English Channel, conditions set a relentless pace: powerful currents, constant manoeuvres, and precise coastal navigation. It was a tough start that forced every crew to find their rhythm immediately, but a challenge that the Kingspan team are enjoying. In these testing conditions, the Franco‑Irish pair adapted quickly as they are committed to staying competitive within a fleet already under significant pressure.
Currently sailing in extreme conditions with 30–35 knot winds, they are heading into the next long upwind leg as they round the final waypoint of the course. It’s a demanding phase that calls for precise steering, constant fine‑tuning, and real endurance. The number of retirements and breakdowns since the start speaks volumes about the intensity of this edition.
With around 250 nautical miles left to go Tom and Gildas must remain fully focused as a demanding night lies ahead with conditions set to reach a peak of 36 knots before dropping back down as the fleet will begin to arrive in, in the early hours of Thursday morning. Until then, they will have to keep pushing, while managing fatigue and adjusting their settings to cross the finish line in Concarneau.
