The Facts and the Future

With David making history with his revolutionary design off course discussions start weather the concept is transferable to other types of boats. I admit I have no insight to the behavior of 747 apart of what I read in Davids interviews but history shows that each and every of Minis succesfull invetions (read: inventions that resultet in victories on the race field) got adopted to bigger boats and eventually even the commercial segment.
And even though David's massive difference to the second was partly gained by his sucsessfull gambling in the Doldrums Casino, he would of won it even if he would sail more conservative tactics. It is interesting to observe that his design looks to be as good as others in up or downwind and off course superrior in reaching.
I see my "balls" metaphore was adopted by others as well so at this point I can only say "respect" and hope to see other evolutions od his concept sometime soon.

For the rest it is as we predicted. First four in Salvador will (save any problems) take first 4 places in overall rankings, and other places will be decided by combination of both legs. Keep in mind that entry to the bay of All saints hides a trap of long no wind periods combined with the current going the opposite way so you can easily loose an hour looking at the finish line. Big skyscrapes of Salvador make the final approach even more tricky. In 2007 I overtook a 618 in the bay itself and Coratian Sime from 232 (old boat of David Raison) lost 2 hours approaching the finish line. So places from 4 onwards are far from decided.
For now though looks like Joerg is solid for 5th place in general, David Etienne 6th (there is only 40 minutes between them from 1st leg), that is off course if Guillaume on 667 doesn't mix the cards (he is NC on the rankings).
So Joerg will no doubt make best German in the Transat History, Milan best Czech in protos (David Krizek finished 2nd in serie in 2007), Lucas best Dutch in history of protos.
That said looks like only 2 non French will make it in top 10 which is better than 2009 with only Matt Trautman finishig 9th and worse than 2007 with Nico Brennan, Kristian Hajnsek and myself getting to 5th, 8th and 9th.

But at the end big congratulations to everybody in the race. One tip for those that race their first Transat: there is a ferry next to the club that brings you straight to Moro de Sao Paulo. Drink your share of Capirinhas and greet your arriving friends in the club, but then loose no time in Salvador. Sit on the Ferry and in few hours you'll be able to enjoy your well deserved piece of Brasil as you imagined it will be :)