Radio call, 2 November, 03:45 UTC. After a fast first night downwind, Ambrogio looks back on an aggressive start, the spectator boats all the way to Bréhat, the manoeuvres and the gybe ahead.

Yeah, yeah, all good. No idea how we’re going to sleep on this race, but yeah… (laughs)

The start: I was fairly aggressive. I was confident. I thought everyone would be a bit cautious, but with no wind, given the conditions, I wanted to try to get away at the front. I was a bit close to the line, so I did get a bit of a scare.

And then it was impressive. Incredible. Boats followed me all the way to Bréhat, boats wanting to wave hello, even at Bréhat there were people everywhere. I think it was an incredible show.

There were quite a few manoeuvres: two gybes and a sail change. I’d made a plan that I didn’t stick to at all, because the wind filled in faster. So I didn’t feel up to doing the peel. And Sam did it so well, exactly the way I wanted to do it… He’s really, really strong.

Then we were off downwind. Gently at first, then little by little it started to build.

So far I haven’t managed to eat much. I’m stringing naps together, because I didn’t sleep much the night before the start. Not at all, actually. So I’m trying to rest a bit, because after the gybe it’ll be an even faster leg, if that’s possible. (laughs)

That sounds promising! Any idea when you’ll gybe?

Soon. The routings gybe in an hour, maybe two. Two, three hours max I’d say.

Meanwhile you stole Sam’s thunder at this morning’s position report. Are you managing to get the best out of your boat?

Yeah, yeah. But my boat is really good in these conditions. It’s Sam who’s impressive, he’s improved enormously. He wasn’t that fast in previous years… It’s going to be one hell of a fight.