2023-11-01 14:00:07
Published on November 1, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. – updated on November 1, 2023 at 4:24 p.m. Mathieu Warnier
If the Ultims are already well underway towards Martinique, the crews in the Ocean Fifty and Class40 categories remain on call in Lorient while the IMOCAs have not yet left Le Havre. The organizers of the Transat Jacques Vabre are waiting to see how the weather develops.
The 2023 edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre is unlike any other. If the Ultim are currently approaching Madeira, the other categories have not taken to the sea. Indeed, faced with complicated weather conditions last weekend, the organizers exercised caution. If the Ocean Fifty and the Class40 also crossed the starting line as planned, the order was given to stop at Lorient pending an improvement in the weather. As for the IMOCA category, the entrants have wisely stayed at the port of Le Havre and are patient. As storm Ciaran approaches the French coast, the race direction prefers not to make any hasty decisions. “ For those who are in Lorient, Class40 and Ocean Fifty, there is no possible window before Monday, which does not mean that we will leave that day », declared Francis Le Goff, race director of the Transat Jacques Vabre, during a press conference.
The conditions announced encourage caution
Regarding the IMOCAs, the latter is a little more optimistic, mentioning the fact that “the Sunday window is being studied, but it still remains uncertain”. While the current priority is to secure the boats currently in Lorient while gusts ranging from 130 to 150 km/h are expected within a few hours, the forecasts for the Bay of Biscay area have confirmed the need to limit the risks for the fleet. In fact, winds of more than 180 km/h are forecast, with very rough seas and waves of more than twelve meters, during the day on Thursday. Difficulties that the five trimarans entered in the Ultim category were able to avoid but, for the rest of the fleet, the wait continues. The current weather conditions keep it completely unclear what will happen to the race, which should have started four days ago.
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