This Sunday, April 28, the 48 competitors of The Transat CIC, the coveted solo transatlantic race, will set off from Lorient, heading to New York. A live video start that we invite you to follow from 12:50 p.m.
At the start of the English transatlantic race which now bears the name The Transat CIC, the crossing record was around 40 days. That was in the 1960s. Today, skippers, at the helm of the fastest sailboats, can cover the same distance in just 8 days. From Lorient to New York, they will cover a distance of 3,500 miles.
Read also : The Transat CIC: from Eric Tabarly to François Gabart, the legendary Transatlantique has seen the greatest sailing legends shine
48 competitors, including 6 women, are competing in three categories: IMOCA (33 boats), Class40 (13 boats) and Vintage (2 boats).
The competitors will cross the starting line off the coast of Lorient at 1:30 p.m.
France 3 Bretagne invites you to follow this event live from 12:50 p.m. A departure commented on by our journalist Isabelle Rettig, accompanied by skipper Franck Cammas.
Those who want to follow the departure from the sea will have to respect a restricted zone, set up by the Maritime Prefecture, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., including a zone prohibited for navigation, near the line.
Navigation will be regulated from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. around the start line of the Transat CIC this Sunday April 28
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© Organization The Transat CIC
The course of this solo transatlantic remains a challenge, as it is punctuated by a succession of depressions which sweep across the North Atlantic and generate headwinds. Ice and fog should also be monitored, as well as the numerous cargo ships passing through this part of the ocean.
Read also : The CIC deckchair. A solo sailing crossing of the North Atlantic which can be daunting
This solo offshore race was born in 1960 and is better known under the name of English deckchair. From Eric Tabarly, winner in 1964 and 1976, to Francois Gabart, the last to have won the event in 2016 on his maxi trimaran, via Alain Colas, Philippe Poupon, Loïck Peyron, or Michel Desjoyeaux, great sailors have registered their name on the list of winners of this legendary race, rich in sporting stories.
“There are moments of racing that have marked me like the rescue, in 2008, of Vincent Riou by Loïck Peyron, the legendary arrivals in New York in front of the Statue of Liberty which make us dream a lot, so I am happy to ‘go there this year’testifies skipper Charlie Dalin.
Charlie Dalin will be lined up in Imoca against serious competitors like Yann Richomme, Damien Seguin, Jérémie Beyou, Alan Roura, Nicolas Lunven, Sam Davies, Justine Méttraux, Boris Herrmann…
In Class 40, Ian Lipinski will be in battle with Ambrogio Beccaria, Aurélien Ducros, Fabien Delahaye…
The first Imoca should reach New York Bay in 9 or 10 days.
