Storm warning for the Transat Jacques Vabre. “The conditions this morning are too rough in my opinion to pass Cape Finistère safely. The IMOCAs will therefore remain docked in the Vatine basin. For your information, the O50 and Class40 classes will leave today and stop in Lorient, the Ultimes will continue their route to Martinique. The reason why the fleet remains in Le Havre is because we have not found sufficient berths for you in the Breton ports. » It was through a message, early this morning, from the race management that the 95 boats entered learned of the departure changes, initially scheduled from 12:55 p.m. this Sunday, due to very bad weather conditions forecast in the west from France.
Only the 5 Ultimes, these giants of the seas, will set off this Sunday at 1:05 p.m. from Le Havre, then head towards Martinique. They are fast enough, a priori, to pass before depression. If the Class40s and the OceanFiftys show up on the line, their race will be neutralized in Lorient (this was already planned for the Class40s), so that everyone takes shelter in the various Breton ports. A new start will be given in a few days, as soon as conditions permit. Due to lack of space, the 40 Imoca will remain in the Vatine basin in Le Havre.
Suffice it to say that it is a real headache facing the organizers, with a scattered fleet. Already, in 2022, the start of the Route du Rhum, the most famous solo Atlantic crossing, had been delayed by 3 days due to the weather.
