Saturday 7 November 2026 – A tropical depression to sail around!
After a fairly calm night, a new challenge lies ahead for the Ultim IDEC SPORT-CIC: a tropical depression, which the team has chosen to sail around. Since the morning, all eyes have been on how this system and its conditions develop. Winds of more than 30 knots are expected, with stronger gusts, and the sea should build at the height of the passage. Going around the depression remains the chosen option, at the cost of stronger winds and rougher seas.
Gradually reducing sail:
On board, Alexia Barrier is gradually reducing sail: a first reef in the mainsail, then a second, to cut the area exposed to the wind. After a less demanding night, manoeuvres are once again at the heart of her day. The aim: keep pace with the rising wind while staying in full control of the maxi-trimaran.
Alexia Barrier’s words:
“I had to carry out manoeuvres to anticipate the rising wind. […] Sometimes you anticipate a bit too much, but that’s better than the other way round. […] All is well on board. I’ve still got the music, and I’ve still got the smile.”
An update from Clément Surtel, technical director of The Famous Project:
“The boat is still at 100%.” No damage has been reported so far. IDEC SPORT-CIC is tackling this passage with its full potential. For Alexia, the challenge now is to get through it while preserving the boat and her strength, on the road to Guadeloupe.
Excerpt from The Famous Project logbook
Follow the adventure on IDEC SPORT social media and live on the race tracker.
