2023-10-28 19:55:36
Sailing is used to complicated weather conditions. Last year, the start of the Route de Rhum was postponed, this time the 44 “Class40s”, entered in the Transat Jacques Vabre, will compete for the first time in 16 editions in the race to Fort-de-Rhum. France in two stages, with a stopover in Lorient. “A finish line will be set up in Lorient and we will organize a second start when the weather situation allows safe sailing towards Fort-de-France,” said Francis Le Goff, the race director. The start of this 2nd stage will be given as a fleet and the ranking established on arrival in Martinique is the sum of the times of the two stages. »
All classes should benefit from a more relaxed start, the organizers having decided, from Friday, to shorten the coastal route, in particular avoiding a passage to Étretat. A way to save a few hours of racing by heading west more quickly. A flow of around thirty knots will accompany the fleet, while a violent storm in the North Atlantic is expected on Wednesday, hence the decision to stop the most fragile class.
The Ultims will be the first to be able to cross the line at 1:05 p.m.
The Ultim, the Ocean Fifty and the Imoca will continue their route, each with a route towards Martinique, so as to arrive in a short period of time, the winner being expected around November 12. 2 years ago, it was the Ocean Fifty of Sébastien Rogues and Matthieu Souben (Primonial) which was the first to reach Fort-de-France. Rogues will be at the start, this time associated with Jean-Baptiste Gellée.
All eyes will be on the Ultims, 2 months before the first solo round-the-world trip. Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) was the fastest in 2021. Erwan Israel this time took the place of Franck Cammas (entered in Imoca), but the duo will have a hard time facing the pairs Le Cléach – Josse ( Banque Populaire) and Gabart – Laperche (SVR).
Finally on the Imoca side, the withdrawal, for medical reasons, of Charlie Dalin (Macif), who will however take the start in order to score points with a view to qualifying for the Vendée Globe, reshuffles the cards. The arrival of the experienced Cammas to assist Jérémie Beyou makes Charal a serious contender for the coronation, even if the duo Ruyant – Lagravière (For people) also has serious assets. The Ultims will be the first to cross the line at 1:05 p.m.
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