From midday, Promenade Samuel-De Champlain began to fill up with sailing enthusiasts, many wanting to witness the grand departure of the 10th Transat Québec-Saint-Malo.
Under a resplendent sun, everyone was rejoicing in the perfect weather for lounging on the banks of the river.
A thunderstorm hit at the exact time of the scheduled start. The kick-off was postponed by about ten minutes. (Caroline Gregoire/The Sun)
But at 1:55 p.m., a storm came like a cold shower on the hundreds of spectators.
The blue sky was quickly darkened by torrential rain, so much so that it was temporarily impossible to see the Quebec Bridge from the Jetée de Sillery park.
The start of the race was postponed by around ten minutes because of the storm.
As soon as you arrive, as soon as you leave. At 2:05 p.m., the sun returned just in time for the official kickoff. The 28 crews raised their sails and took off with a solid wind at their backs.
The spectators are there
Hundreds of people gathered around the Jetée de Sillery park, the official starting point of the race. But the curious, armed with their binoculars and their umbrella, were able to admire the race from numerous viewpoints along the St. Lawrence River.
Hundreds of curious people were on the lookout along the St. Lawrence River. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
In the afternoon, the Quebec City Police Department (SPVQ) even warned motorists to avoid the Champlain and Upper Town areas, as traffic was slow due to the Transat Québec-Saint-Malo.
Sisters Louise and Maryse Trudel took advantage of their Sunday afternoon to admire the start of the ocean race.
Living in Saguenay, Louise is passionate about sailing. “My sister was kind enough to tell me, ‘It’s Québec-Saint-Malo, come spend the weekend with us and we’ll go to the sailing launch,’” the spectator rejoices.
Her sister Maryse, who lives in Quebec City, has already come to watch the sailboat race a few times. “Here, we can say that the Samuel-De Champlain promenade is extraordinary! I never get tired of it,” enthuses Maryse Trudel, who is used to walking and cycling there. The place was ideal for admiring the boats.
Just before their departure, the boats were near the Jetée de Sillery park. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
Not far from there, the Charette sisters also attended the kick-off with their family. “I love sailing, and I love photography. So I combine the two,” says one of them, who is newly settled in Quebec. “It’s sure going to be exciting!”
The two women settled near the beach station, on the edge of the Samuel-De Champlain promenade. “Here, they should be at a good speed,” explained the second sister.
There were many families among the spectators. The little ones marveled at the twenty or so sailboats, while the older ones renewed a tradition from the Quebec region.
“When we were young, [mon père] took us to the marina on Saturday morning, we went to see the boats. He gave me such a passion for boats,” recalls a sailing enthusiast. She brought her 90-year-old father and her mother to attend the Transat Québec-Saint-Malo, which has fascinated the family since its beginnings.
40 years later, a tenth race
The 10th transatlantic race comes at a time when it marks the 40th anniversary of its founding in 1984. The race is held every four years, but was cancelled in 2020.
For the occasion, three Italians, a German, a Quebecer and 23 Frenchmen have assembled a crew to take part in the event. They will attempt to beat the record set in 1996 of 7 days, 20 hours and 24 minutes to cross the ocean.
Georges Leblanc set off on his sixth and final Transat Québec-Saint-Malo on Sunday. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
Among the competitors, Quebecer Georges Leblanc will take off for a sixth and final time.
The 72-year-old skipper has seen it all during his years at sea.
After sailing the equivalent of 16 times around the Earth, he set off with a crew of ten sailors aboard El Unicornio.
