A challenge open to all
A year and a half ago, Christophe Beyssier acquired a First 310. On board, he wanted to participate in the Transquadra, but quickly realized that his boat was too obsolete for the transatlantic race. "It's a boat I like well, well maintained with a moderate budget, but of an older generation" he explains.
A lover of offshore racing and challenges, he then looked for other solo races in which he could participate. But each time, he is constrained by fixed dates. He then came up with the idea of launching a nautical challenge, the "Scilly Race Challenge".
A journey through Brittany - Scilly - Brittany
This 500-mile offshore race between Brittany and the Scilly Islands is open to everyone, solo or double-handed. If the route is fixed with a start and finish line and two waypoints, the start date is free.
The start and finish line is in the east at Hoëdic, in Morbihan. Two crossing points are imposed, the first is at the level of the cardinal west Chaussée de Sein and the second is materialized by the Scilly Islands which will have to be bypassed.
Enjoy yourself
On the Scilly Race Challenge, the objective is to have fun. " There are no prizes or rewards. As the hook says, it's you, your sailboat, the sea, the wind." christophe Beyssier explains.
Everyone's participation is based on good faith. All you have to do is fill in a declaration of intent on the dedicated website. The yachtsman then receives challenge instructions and informs the organiser of his departure and arrival date.
After validating the challenge, the yachtsman is invited to share his navigation and feelings in the form of a logbook, sharing his daily life and the progress of his "race"
Create a community
"The story of the Scilly Race is to create a community of people who have boats and want to have fun, but without sponsors and without a budget for racing projects. The boat is a support and we seek to enhance the value of the human being" adds Christophe.
For the moment, two people have declared their intention to participate in the challenge. Christophe should also embark on the adventure at the beginning of July alone.
"I am in contact with a yachtsman from La Rochelle who plans to leave in August on his Sunrise 34. He thinks that it is a navigation that he could very well have done on his own, but he likes the challenge, as well as the group effect that can result from it."
Because if the idea is to sail alone, everyone will be able to compare their sailing time with that of the other participants and discover each other's sea stories.
"I wish I had done the Long Road and it's a little in that vein." concludes Christophe.
