Sébastien Simon has just won the Bermuda 1000 Race this Friday, May 17, 2019. With a line crossing at 10:34 am, the skipper of Arkea-Paprec (ex-PRB) will have completed the Douarnenez - Brest route (via Fastnet in the Azores) in 7 days, 17 hours and 34 minutes. It completed the theoretical course of 2,000 miles (2,196.97 miles actually covered) at an average speed of 11.84 knots.
After a very good performance on the Guyader Grand Prix - crewed - the winner of the Solitaire du Figaro 2018 clearly took the place of the favourite for this regatta between Douarnenez and Brest. However, this was his first solo race, which he led with a masterful hand, leaving little opportunity for his competitors to get ahead of him
"That's nice! I'm quite surprised because I've only been really sailing in IMOCA since February 5th. I did two deckchairs with the boat. I trained a little with Vincent Riou upwind of his Route du Rhum, but I didn't expect to finish in this position and with such a lead. Everything wasn't perfect, but in any case, the trajectories were great and I'm very happy with that.
I did a few bulk jobs anyway, and I left a lot of energy. I had some difficult moments, but I did my race as it should have been done and I'm really happy. It was a great experience. The regatta was amazing. Suddenly it started from the front and then it came back from behind, because there were a lot of transition phases. I thought I was going to see the ones from behind come back tonight, but fortunately I managed to get back on the ground. It's nice these offshore races: they're never over! I felt comfortable on the boat. I wasn't afraid to do manoeuvres or be a little ambitious. It was my first and last regatta on this solo boat. I think I've earned my new boat now. I can't wait to get it!"
After Sébastien Simon's victory this morning, the battle was intense for the remaining places on the podium. Finally, it was Yannick Bestaven (Master CoQ), at 13h47, then Giancarlo Pedote, at 13h49, who took 2nd and 3rd place in the Bermuda 1000 Race Douarnenez - Brest. Sam Davies (Initiatives C?ur) finished at the foot of the podium, less than 3 minutes behind Giancarlo Pedote, while Maxime Sorel took 5th place (only 1 minute and 23 seconds behind Sam Davies).
