Doublehanded Classic Finally Let Loose

(November 7, 2013) – The start of the 5460 miles Transat Jacques Vabre race from Le Havre, France to Itajaí, Brazil, which had been postponed since Sunday (Nov. 3) due to weather concerns, got underway today under grey, drizzling skies and light winds.

The 11th edition of the doublehanded race has 44 entrants, representing 12 countries, competing in four different classes (Class 40, Open 60, Multi50, and MOD 70).

On the strength of the latest weather files this morning, race organizers decided that the Class 40 crews will stop in the port of Bloscon at Roscoff (France) – 190 miles from the start – to avoid the impact of a big gale in the Bay of Biscay. They should arrive in Roscoff by Friday afternoon.

Racing at slightly slower speeds than the other three classes, the Class 40’s would have hit the worst of the weather, while the other three classes should have made it further down the course by the time the worst of the weather hits.

While the other classes head to the Spanish point to catch the anticyclone that is forming there which will strengthen to produce good downwind conditions down the Portuguese coast over the weekend, Class 40 will be held in Roscoff until the weather clears sufficiently. The detour from the rhumb line course for the Class 40’s is around six miles. The boats will then depart in order of arrival across a line there, set off by the race committee at the time deltas corresponding to their arrival.

Crews are not allowed to take on supplies, to have any outside technical assistance. Boats may stop before Roscoff taking the same time duration plus two hours. The stop in Roscoff for the 26 Class 40’s should last around 24 hours.

Race website: http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en
Live tracker: http://tracking.transat-jacques-vabre.com/fr/