A 1,000-mile loop off the coast of Brittany
The first race of the season to be held in France, the Guyader Bermuda 1000 Race is back for its 4th edition. Starting and finishing in Brest, it takes the competitors on a 1,000-mile course off Brittany, with two waypoints: the Gallimard waypoint off Cape Finisterre in Spain, then the Fastnet Rock in Ireland. Charlie Dalin on Apivia won in 2022 in 4 days, 10 hours and 47 minutes of racing. In addition to the race, the competitors will compete in speed runs on the Pom'Potes Challenge on May 5 from 1:30 to 5:00 pm. Over a distance of 1 mile, the skippers will have to achieve the best possible time.
A first double to adapt to the 2023 race calendar
For the 2023 edition, which will start on May 7, the sailors will race double-handed, a first, and will take a mediaman on board. This change of format responds to the demand of skippers who will participate in 2023, mostly in double-handed races. Two other events will be held in pairs, the Rolex Fastnet on July 22 and the Transat Jacques Vabre on October 29.
Gauging and validating the winter work sites
This qualifying race for the Transat Jacques Vabre will allow to check the work done during the winter refit, to take in hand a new boat, to qualify for the Jacques Vabre or to accumulate points for the IMOCA Globe Series Championship. Apart from the five boats entered in The Ocean Race, there will be around 15 crews, including newly launched boats such as Yoann Richomme's Paprec Arkéa and Thomas Ruyant's For People, both of which are taking part in their first race on their new boats.
Jérémie Béyou explains: "The boats in the fleet are all very different in terms of hull shape. The speed runs in Brest harbour, but also and above all the big course, in the form of a triangle, will allow us to see and test the machines at different speeds. It will be very interesting. I can't wait to be there!
For most of them, the timing may be tight between the launch and the start of the race, but this first French event will allow them to confront each other and to validate the different architectural choices adopted by each one.
The list of skippers
- Yannick Bestaven & Julien Pulvé - Maitre Coq V
- Jérémie Beyou & Franck Cammas - Charal
- Arnaud Boissières & Jérôme Véniard - La Mie Câline
- Antoine Cornic & Jean-Charles Luro - Human
- Samantha Davies - Initiatives-Coeur 4
- Louis Duc & Halvard Mabire - Fives Group - Lantana Environnement
- Benjamin Ferré & Pierre Le Roy - Monnoyeur - Duo for a job
- Sam Goodchild - Advens 1
- James Harayda - Gentoo Sailing Team
- Yoann Richomme & Yann Eliès - Paprec Arkéa
- Alan Roura & Simon Koster - Hublot
- Thomas Ruyant - For People
- Guirec Soudée & Corentin Douguet - Freelance.com
- Scott Shawyer & Ryan Barkey - Canada Ocean Racing
