– The final 7 days of preparation before the start of the 10th Transat Jacques Vabre
– Stéphane Le Diraison et Thomas Ruyant are the winners of the exhibition regatta « Virtual Regatta »
– Big crowds flodd into the Race Village in Le Havre
Huge crowds enjoyed the build up around Le Havre’s Paul Vatine Basin as the countdown to the start of the tenth edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre moved inside 7 days until the start gun will sound. In the pleasant Autumn sunshine which blessed Haute Normandy, the walk around the docks was even more enjoyable and clearly visitors took their time to meander among the race boats, the activities and the many displays. 65 000 visitors were recorded over the weekend. For their part, the duos of sailors begin their final week on dry land.
On the pitch…
For 80 minutes on Sunday morning, all talk and thoughts of ocean racing, sailboats and and their imminent passage across the Atlantic was cast aside to watch the final of the Rugby World Cup, pitting the French against New Zealand. In a room equipped with a big screen, the sailors and the public joined in the fervor as the tides of emotion ebbed and flowed, many holding their collective breath as the images of tense confrontation between the All Blacks and France’s ‘All Whites’
On the water …
The 20 crew (40 sailors) which passed through Saturday to make the finals of the regatta exhibition Virtual Regatta then had to don their work clothes to go on the water. The races rolled on all the afternoon in a breeze gusting to about fifteen knots. Thomas Ruyant and Stéphane Le Diraison (Bureau Veritas – Dunkerque Plaisance) overhauled Arnaud Boissieres and his stand-in teammate Alexis Littoz, who replaced Gerald Véniard (Akena Verandas) and the two Loïcs – Fequet and Escoffier aboard Maître Jacques.
And so all three classes (Class 40, Imoca and Multi50) are all represented on the podium. The skippers have really enjoyed the game of short sprints on the windward-leeward bananas on the basin of the Eure. Now all that remains is the seven days to prepare for the start, next Sunday at 13:02hrs local time.
On land …
Monday and Tuesday, some of the race sailors will take time to go home to relax away from the hubbub of the dock and prepare their personal kit. They will be back in Le Havre Wednesday when they will attend the safety briefing.
Others have deliberately chosen to remain close to their boats to monitor the latest odds and ends or fulfill public and media requirements on behalf of their sponsors.
Quotes:
Stéphane Le Diraison (Bureau Veritas-Dunkerque Plaisance), winner of the exhibition races, the Virtual Regatta:
« We won two races in the final and we had a great time, it was down to the wire, it was a lot of fun and a great atmosphere. Many things played out at the start. So we are very happy with our day. But be careful not to confuse the prologue with the real thing! It just shows we are fit, we’re here, and in good shape. »
Arnaud Boissieres (Akena Vérandas), second in the exhibition regatta, about his upcoming program:
« I will stay in Le Havre. I like to stay close to the boat when we are a few days before the start, with the technical team to help the guys to bimble and tinker myself and to work on the weather. I so love my boat! And it’s nice here in Le Havre, we will continue to enjoy. »
Loïc Fequet (Maître Jacques), third place in the exhibition racing:
« . On these exhibition races, it was great work, it’s tight and competitive and when it’s like that, in general, everyone loves it. We go back to Saint Malo tonight. We enjoy two days there and Tuesday to stay quiet. We will return early Wednesday afternoon for the safety briefing « .