Mild weather conditions and very strong opponents are expected. Two days before the Transat CIC, Alberto Bona takes stock of the weather situation at the start, which could feature westerly winds around 15 knots.
Such a condition could be a pleasant change compared to the starts of the main transoceanic races of the last two years, the Route du Rhum 2022 and the Transat Jacques Vabre 2023, both characterised by very strong winds. “When you start with very strong winds”, explained Alberto,“there are many risks, right from the first hours of navigation, and therefore you need to be fully committed to protecting the boat. A simpler start, from a navigation perspective, allows you to get into the rhythm of the race more easily. You have time to deal with all the variables, because the first serious disturbance will probably arrive on the second day of navigation and, at that point, you will have to be ready”.
The favourable weather could benefit not only the 48 solo skippers, but also the many sailing enthusiasts who will gather along the coast opposite the small Kerroc’h lighthouse to follow the start of the regatta. The small fishing village along the Breton coast, with its rocks shaped by the wind, is in fact the best place to admire the first phases of the race. Sunday morning, after leaving the port of Lorient, which for the Class40 IBSA is scheduled for 10:00 am, the boats will head towards Kerroc’h and will depart keeping the coast on the right, to then head West and begin the exit from the Bay of Biscay towards the open sea, thus getting into the heart of this exceptional adventure.
