An exceptional event, a spectacular sight. The start of the Panerai Transat Classique 2012 has lived up to expectations. A field of determined competitors, an escort of enthusiastic support vessels and fair weather made for a beautiful start. Be in no doubt, the race is on!
Take for example Creoula, the four-masted schooner of the Portuguese Navy. Add to her a few dozen racing dinghies, boats of all sizes, launches laden with spectators, the magnificent J-class Endeavour, bright sunshine and a pleasant breeze. Top it off with twelve superb classic sailing vessels manned by some highly competitive sailors. The result is a magnificent start to the final leg of the Panerai Transat Classique 2012. At 12 noon today the start was signalled from the deck of the Creoula in the best possible conditions. The fleet of twelve took to the starting line on a reach, their huge spinnakers flying. Moving well, Corto managed to free herself from the pack and establish an advance of a few boat lengths. Persephone wasn’t so lucky as she found herself stalled in the lee of a huge blanket of canvas courtesy of White Dolphin and The Blue Peter. Cipango and Artaius sailed into the mêlée, determined not to be left on the sidelines. Gweneven, Croix des Gardes and Gimcrack were not so well placed on the starting line and, logically, saw themselves somewhat outdistanced; while Red Hackle and Marie des Isles opted for a more sedate entry into the race. In all, a spectacular show of sun, sea and sail racing towards the horizon.
Heading out to sea
Once round the offset mark, the « Panerai » buoy, the kites came out in a flash. A sign of experienced sailors completely focused on the race. Corto took the lead, White Dolphin sniffing her transom, The Blue Peter and Persephone snapping at her heels.Cipango hung in there and was the next to round the buoy. Then came Artaius, Croix des Gardes, Gimcrack, Valteam and Gweneven sailing in a line, executing their manoeuvres perfectly. The fleet is currently heading for the mouth of the Tagus where a long swell and a fresher wind are waiting for them.Both of the leaders decided to tack promptly, while The Blue Peter lengthened her stride somewhat. For much of the start she sailed in tandem with Sea Lion, a yacht which took part in the Mediterranean leg until she was obliged to withdraw. Valteam also took advantage of the freshening wind to make her power felt. Gradually the support boats turned around and headed for harbour, wishing the crews luck as they passed. The silhouettes of sail grew smaller as the high seas called out to them. After months of intense preparation, the sailors are finally making their dream come true:to race across the Atlantic Ocean.
Earlier this morning the atmosphere on the pontoons was charged with emotion. Family and friends came to say farewell to their loved ones in the crews. Urgent last-minute repairs in the rig were carried out. In the marina there was even talk about a battle between an unlucky sailor and a washing machine that refused to surrender his clothes!At about 11 a.m. it was time to leave the pontoons and, with every line cast off, those left behind on the quay felt a twinge of apprehension, despite being reassured by a very optimistic forecast the night before. For the first few days of the race the wind should be settled in the north-east; although it is expected to drop off and will undoubtedly lengthen the run to the first gate off the Savage Islands, in the Canaries. The competitors are obliged to pass through this gate in order to fall in with the trade winds and keep clear of the North Atlantic lows. But that doesn’t mean they have no tactical options open to them, quite the contrary. And if proof were needed of the crews’ motivation and commitment, take for example the protest Persephone filed against Corto with the race committee. She claimed that Corto did not embark a large genoa in order to improve her rating (ratings are calculations that allow different sizes of boats to race one another without giving an unfair advantage).