Jacques Vabre 2023 – CLASS 40: Weather worsens, mandatory stop on Lorient

New developments on the expected fronts change the cards for a good part of the fleet in this 16th Transat Jacques Vabre. Although an unexpected sun is shining this morning, from tomorrow the weather degrades again, changing for the worse. After this morning’s Jacques Vabre official briefing at 10 a.m., in fact, an extra session dedicated only to the Class40 fleet was held : their Transat will be divided into two stages, with an obligatory stop in Lorient scheduled between 4 and 6 days.

Jacques Vabre 2023 – CLASS 40: Weather worsens, mandatory stop on Lorient

Weather degrading and sea deteriorating not a little then. They will all leave tomorrow (29.10) anyway, staggered in the planned four tranches: opening the start will be the Ultim, at 1:05 pm, followed by the Ocean Fifty at 1:17 pm and the Imoca at 1:29 pm. Instead, the Class40s will start at 1:41 p.m., launched, however, in a sprint on Lorient. This is no small change and one that shakes things up in no small way.

The “double race” of the Class40s

For the Class40s a Jacques Vabre broken in two, to preserve both boats and crews from truly inclement weather. Departing as planned but heading for Lorient for the 44-boat fleet, which thus faces a 24-hour sprint to the Breton city, where they will remain on standby waiting for a suitable weather window. Expect, here, between 4 and 6 days of waiting, if not more than a week.

Following this, a second direct departure over Martinique, “Route du Rhum” style, cannot be ruled out, but conditions will dictate, with a possible passage over the Canary Islands as well to catch the trade winds. The basic idea is one: play it at all costs, but safely, but without delaying the arrival in Martinique too much.

The situation involves almost a week stuck in Brittany, an issue that throws everything into question, changing every plan. It will now be necessary to re-plan much of the shipboard organization. Landing water, landing diesel and redistributing weights. In short, preparing the boat as best as possible and lightening it of everything not needed for a 24-hour event. A sprint regatta whose time still counts, big time. It will be added to that of the second stage, so full attention is required.

So many things to consider then. A decision that undoubtedly still reenergizes Race Village, now cluttered with shore teams and skippers working to adapt to the new conditions and goals, now with less than 24 hours to go.

All is regular, however, on the Ultim, Ocean Fifty and IMOCA front. They will leave tomorrow and go their respective ways.