Last Tuesday night, Aurélien Ducroz completed the first step of the Transat 6.50 Charente Maritime-Bahia sailing competition. He came in 14th out of 79 boats, only 7 hours 36 minutes behind the winner. Aurélien, who is also a world champion freeride skier, is now in Madeira (Portugal) for some rest. The next leg of the race will resume on Thursday, October 13, with a finish in Brazil (Salvador da Bahia) programmed for late October / early November. www.charentemaritime-bahia.transat650.net