A new race format
To compensate for the cancellation of the Cap Martinique (which was to be held in April 2021), the organizers have launched the "Cap 45/11", a substitute race with a starting and finishing point, but without a mark to turn. Indeed, the 21 IRC crews will head west from La Rochelle, to cut the longitude 11° west, an imaginary line connecting Morocco to Ireland.
This new format will allow everyone to choose the best place to cut the line and turn back to Trinité-sur-Mer, for a return scheduled around June 8 for the first ones.
"This changes a lot of things, because the crews will prefer fast speeds, even if it means lengthening the route a bit, explains Jean-Philippe Cau, the organizer.
Different routes to be defined by each crew
The competitors (who will be sailing double-handed or solo) will have to choose the best route according to their boat and the weather, which will undoubtedly result in different courses, with important strategic choices, as the routing software is not configured for this type of course.
"There are no rules. It requires more initiative and autonomy from the skippers. The point of passage will depend on the situation later, at the end of the race. I find it exciting!" explains the router Christian Dumard. He adds: "It's a course that everyone can define as they please, I find that exciting. They're going to have different timing depending on their speed and the crossing point can be different. There are no rules and it's not that simple. It requires more initiative and autonomy from the skippers. The passage point will depend on the situation at the end of the race. We know that the optimal point, for the shortest route, is around 46 North, but, depending on the weather, it can be much higher or much lower."
A training session for the Cap Martinique
This experience, which offers conditions close to those of a transatlantic race, will allow the competitors to train for the Cap Martinique, scheduled for the spring of 2022. The Cap 45/11 will start at the same time as the Gascogne 45/5 with a shorter course. In total, 85 boats will sail together in these two competitions.
