All of the 12th Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe fleet, all six classes, are now out of the locks and at sea, starting their final countdown to the start this afternoon at 1415hrs local time. In stark contrast to Sunday and Monday’s stormy weather it has been a beautiful morning with blues skies and sunshine. Big crowds were out to see the last of the classes docking out from before 0600hrs this morning and the atmosphere in the locks was almost party-like. After the delay the solo skippers are very much ready to go.
The weather forecast for the first few days of the course has been getting better rather than worse with the best news that the trade winds are better established now and a fast passage, with different strategic options, are on the cards.
The IMOCAs locked out last night and were on their moorings overnight whilst Class40 and the OceanFifty class followed the Rhum fleets out this morning.
On the Class40 pontoons the atmosphere was generally light and good humoured. Of the international skippers Ivica Kostelic looked focused but relaxed, very much in race mode: “ “We will see at Ushant what the weather looks like and that will decide te strategy. Right now by comparison with a ski race before the ski race the feelings are a bit more concentrated, there is just the one push and it is over in two minutes or so. There is a tension. Now there is a long race ahead of me and you cannot afford too many emotions in one moment. The next period is about conserving energy and keeping your focus.”
Australian Rupert Henry commented, “I got the boat last year in Australia and it has been a big year to get here. I am happy with the weather now. It will be a strategic tactical first week. I want to manage the risks carefully, not separate from the fleet and look for the best opportunity to pick up the downwind conditions later on. I have gone OK in the races this season but I kind of feel I have the tiger by the tail. It has been a big learning curve and coming from Australia I did not realise how big and established this class really is, and how experienced and good some of the top campaigners in Class40 actually are. So it has been good. We got a sixth (with Jack Bouttell) in the Channel Race but that was six months ago when the boat was brand new and since then I have done 4 or 5 000 miles. The boat (Lift V2) is very quick, it is the quickest in reaching conditions and good upwind, VMG running is not so good but it is not meant to be.”
And American Alex Mehran on board his Polka Dot racing said, “It has been so nice having these extra days to decompress then build up again. There were so many people visiting and so much activity, so it has been a blessing to have a couple of quiet moments, to get the boat organised and a few little last things done. I feel excellent. Now, even today, the weather has got better with a route shown through the Bay of Biscay with a maximum wind of 22kts. Now it is a question of whether you can get south to get to the trade winds or whether you have to go west. My preparations have been awesome and I and the boat have never been more ready to go. This race is the next step up for me after the Pacific solo. The spirit of sailing here is amazing, the village has been incredible. Now I just want to get to the finish line!”
Kito de Pavant (HBF Reforest’Action) said he “getting over a cold, but now I have a fortnight to rest,” while Aurélien Ducroz (Crosscall) stated “I can feel the butterflies, but am particularly happy to have the chance to be here.” Baptise Hulin (Rennes-Saint Malo – Parenthèses de vie) was surprised “I slept for eight hours. I wasn’t expecting that.” A feeling echoed by Xavier Macaire (Groupe Snef) who said it was a night like any other. Franz Bouvet (Yoda) preferred to spend his final night aboard the boat as it was very calm and peaceful. Emmanuel Le Roch (Edenred) was smiling and told us “It’s a bit like when you have a date. You can’t wait, but you’re not sure what it is going to be like.” Stan Thuret managed to forget about the race and enjoyed “the moon going down and the sun coming up.” On the other hand, Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea) said, “I am feeling the emotions, but I have to remain focused on the goal and not get dragged in by the excitement of the moment.”
From on board his Ultim 32/23 Banque Populaire XI, Armel Le Cléac’h smiled, “The time has come. I’m pleased as this is the result of four years’ work. There is some stress with all the tacks to get from the start area to Cape Fréhel. These manoeuvres aren’t easy on our boats and we have to avoid any mistakes. The boats will be pummelled, but it won’t be the first time, as we have already seen these conditions, unlike last Sunday. I had a final weather discussion with the team yesterday evening and we were able to be clear about our strategy. I have the route in my mind, but that could change, as the low-pressure system is fairly unstable. I expect each competitor to choose different routes, as we’ll be trying to find what’s best for us. It’s going to be fast. I still have seven days of food with me, but I think there will be some left over at the finish.”
As the IMOCA skippers left the pierheads and headed out to meet their boats and shorecrews, Charlie Dalin (Apivia) said,“I slept well. I needed to do that, as tonight I won’t be getting any sleep. It’s the start of a sprint across the Atlantic, but we’ll be beginning with a stretch a bit like in the Solitaire du Figaro along the North coast of Brittany. After that, we’ll be out to sea. I can’t wait to set off, as I have spent so long preparing for this. I’ll feel relieved once we have passed Cape Fréhel, as that will allow more space between the boats, but there are plenty of hurdles along the way, rocks, buoys, the wind farm... I’m going to have to remain vigilant for quite some time.”
Sam Davies (Initiatives-Cœur): “Yesterday evening, there was a great atmosphere for the boats leaving the dock. I woke up once during the night, but soon got back to sleep. The weather is fine and there’s a full moon out tonight to allow us to see things, as we zigzag along the coast. I can’t wait. The only stress I feel is about the start with 138 boats tacking upwind together, which is a bit unnerving. I’ll feel happier once we’re further down the Channel.”
Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V): “I slept relatively well. It feels good after the long wait. The weather is fine, so it’s going to be a fantastic sight. It will be better after we pass the Cape Fréhel buoy. We’ll be able to make our getaway from the rest of the fleet and sail further out to sea. There’s going to be plenty to play with and we’ll do what we can to get to Pointe-à-Pitre.”
Nicolas Troussel (Corum L’Épargne): “I didn’t sleep well, but that’s only normal. Before the start of a race, I never sleep well. A lot is going to happen from the start in the English Channel and at the tip of Brittany, so it’s going to be interesting. There will be a lot of tacking, so we need to prepare for that and get off to a good start. You feel much better if you manage to start well.”
Paul Meilhat (Biotherm): In our minds, we’ve already started. I’m totally focused to avoid doing anything stupid. The first 24 hours will be a coastal race with lots of manoeuvres. In my opinion, not many people will get any sleep during the first night. Tomorrow, we’ll be further out to sea and will be able to accelerate.”
Koji Shiraishi (DMG MORI Global One): “I feel good and ready to go. I feel much better now the weather situation is looking better now and there are trade winds which means we should get a reasonably fast passage.”