TJV Class 40 Podium REDMAN Report #17 (English) un-cut Interviews Brian Thompson, AlisterRichardson

The Class 40 victory has gone to Redman, co-skippered by Frenchman Antoine Carpentier and Pablo Santurde Del Arco of Spain. Second place went to Banque Du Léman, third to Seafrigo-Sogestran.The pair, who started the race as one of the favourites, crossed the finish line of the Transat Jacques Vabre on Monday morning. They completed the course from Le Havre in northern France to Martinique in 21 days 22 hours 33 minutes and 30 seconds, covering the 4,600 mile theoretical course at an average speed of 8.7 knots. Their actual distance covered was 5,502.96 miles and averaged 10.45 knots.The whole fleet struggled in the light airs that marked the race, especially in the early days. The leaders were bunched together with little to separate them but the Redman pair pulled off a great move at the Canary islands that gave them a small lead, which turned out to be enough.“We didn't want to take too many risks early on, which cost us on that first night off Cherbourg. But we worked hard to get back into the game. Once we sneaked ahead it was a matter of controlling the race” said Antoine Carpentier.Antoine and Pablo maintained and grew their advantage - the result of many hours spent at the helm keeping up with the pace imposed by the Class40s just behind them. Not an easy task given the problems they were having, “We had to steer 80% of the time. On the one hand for performance when the sea was choppy, but also because we didn't have much energy on board and the autopilot is very energy consuming" admits Carpentier.Pablo Santurde Del Arco said, “It was difficult, but that's what we came for. Antoine and I have known each other for a long time, but we have always been competitors on the water. We didn't have much food, it was hard on the nerves. We had to start rationing two days before Cape Verde.”1 hour 4 minutes and 8 seconds after Redman crossed the line, Banque du Léman took second place.