Why did you decide to postpone course?? It is a decision of the Ultimate Class or the Lorient Grand organization Large??
As we have indicated, they are in the loop and we are in total contact with them, but the decision was made collectively, with all the partners. Today, we have counted the time it takes to rebuild a foil on Macif, or to rebuild the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, and the repair times are incompatible with the race calendar.
On the other hand, in Lorient, events are held to highlight innovation and all the activity of the offshore racing sector, particularly in South Brittany. This was also what was planned through the Lorient - Bermuda - Lorient race, which honoured these boats, which fully respond to this issue of innovation and technology.
There were 4 Ultimates registered in the race : Macif, Maxi Banque Populaire IX, Sodebo and Actual and even if the race was also open to IMOCA, registrations had not started.
Why didn't you continue the race with the IMOCA??
Because they have another potential race that leaves Spain on the same dates. The problem was to have visibility on this subject, but we didn't have any, even if a certain number of teams had told us they would race.
We really appreciate the IMOCAs and we are happy with the technological developments in this class. But if we want to be representative of innovation, we need all these boats.
If there's an air hole for the Ultimates, it'll work. We can see that the projects can be effective, let's not forget that Macif went around the world in 42 jours?!
When will she be reprogrammée?? In 2019 or later tard??
We're working on that. Many parts of the organization are ready and it is clear that the longer we postpone, the more we will have to start from scratch. All hypotheses are explored and I don't master all the elements. We are several players Lorient Agglomération, the Morbihan department, the Brittany Region and we have to find a common denominator.
Everyone has been caught off guard in this new situation and setting a pace is quite difficult.
Are you going to work on another évènement??
We have no other project, because Lorient's desire is to set up a permanent event. But the niche chosen to launch the rebirth of this race must be in correlation with the calendar and the protagonists.
Why did the course? stop?
It was launched six months after the Route du Rhum in 1979 and there were three editions in total. The other two took place in 1983 and 1989. It was already taking place in a multihull, there was VSD, Paul Ricard etc. It was Paul Ricard's first race and the first race followed by satellite. It was already innovative and we like this path.
It stopped because the format changed, when the Figaros had the opportunity to make double transats (former Transat AG2R). It was a new format, which took place every two years.
