Last hours of preparation for the crew of the Class40 IBSA ahead of the Transat Québec Saint-Malo. Once the safety and tonnage checks have been completed – and the statement relating to the sails to be loaded has been delivered – Alberto Bona, Pablo Santurde del Arco and Luca Rosetti will dedicate themselves to weather briefings and other sessions, in which they will analyse the St. Lawrence River mile by mile.
“It will be complex navigation”, explained Bona. “The river is relatively narrow and in some places shallow and subject to strong currents, so much so that, in case of little wind, we will be forced to anchor so as not to be pushed back. In recent days we sailed some sections and found ourselves in variable weather conditions, including some areas with very thick fog. We are therefore awaiting the latest forecasts to understand whether the instability which has characterised the last two days will also continue during the start, or whether in actual fact we will sail with the typical winds of these areas”.
In recent days, indeed, the weather changed at least three or four times within 24 hours, with systems of low clouds that brought thunderstorms, sudden and ephemeral gusts of wind that one needs to know how to “read” and manage, heavy rain showers alternating with moments of summer heat and sun.
“The first 140 miles will be very complex”,continued the skipper.“Just think about the current, which keeps changing at the edges near the banks, and sometimes even reverses; it will be a great temptation to exploit it, but we will have to think carefully about when and how, carefully considering the draft of the boat versus the depth of the river”.
Meanwhile, work continues on the boats, also in view of a start that – given the spaces available – will be an actual naval battle.
“The level of the Class40”,commented Alberto, “is, as always, very high. Of the 25 boats participating in this regatta, there are at least ten that can compete for victory. There are crews who have been working together for two years, all very well established. There won’t be much room for mistakes”.
Three Italian crews at the start: in addition to Bona on board the Class40 IBSA, there are Ambrogio Beccaria’s team, as well as that of Alberto Riva who, moored a few meters away, are both ready to defend Italian supremacy within the class.
The start is set for Sunday, June 30, at 2:00 pm (local time) for the four crafts belonging to the other classes, while the Class40s will set sail at 2:15 pm.
