The "buddies" regatta
Created in 1993, the Transquadra is reserved for amateur sailors over 40 years old. Organized every 3 years, it is played in double or single-handed on IRC boats from 8.50 to 12 m for a course in two stages of 3 800 miles. This regatta of "friends" is both a sporting and family event that attracts some 150 racers and their families each year. Some come to win, while others realize their dream of adventure, as explained by Pascal, 65 years old.
"I've always said that before I could be between four boards, I had to cross the Atlantic. My goal will be to enjoy myself first. I'll let the big guys shoot each other."
Two new IRC boats
Cancelled last year, the race - which takes place in two stages - returns in August 2021 with 84 boats entered. This year, the new Sun Fast 3300 and JPK 10.30, launched in 2019, will be present alongside some 40 Sun Fast boats, half of which are Sun Fast 3200s, and around ten 3300s. The JPK yard will also be well represented with about twenty models, including about ten JPK 10.10 and five JPK 10.30.
A majority of rookies
The majority of the fleet will be made up of "newcomers", representing 75.5% of the total fleet. This is one of the unchanging characteristics of the race: 2/3 newcomers, 1/3 regulars. Newcomers will be more numerous in double-handed boats (85%) than in solo boats (40%). Single-handed sailors will also be only slightly represented with 23 boats at the start in Lorient (none for Marseille). Double-handed racing is the most popular category with 43 crews for the Atlantic and 18 for the Mediterranean. In total, 147 boats will take the start of the race.
A new departure city for the Mediterranean fleet
For the first time, the Mediterranean fleet will start from Marseille and not from Barcelona. "We will be received at the Société Nautique de Marseille, a historical club of the city of Marseille, in the heart of the city, in the old port, in front of the city hall: it is a great honor, we can't wait to be there! "smiles Frank Lang, president of the Transquadra Madeira - Martinique.
Two stages for a 3,800 mile race
The start will be given on August 13 from Marseille and August 18 from Lorient for a first stage to Madeira, with arrivals scheduled between August 22 and 27.
The 2nd stage between Madeira and Martinique will be given in february 2022 with arrivals in Marin scheduled between February and March 2022. An organization thought in two stages to be able to integrate more easily in the professional and family schedules of the runners.
In total, there will be 3 classifications: one for the Mediterranean fleet (double-handed), one for the Atlantic fleet (double-handed and solo) and a scratch classification (solo and double-handed) between Madeira and Le Marin.
