Plastimo Lorient Mini, start of the first event of the Mini 6.50 season
This Thursday, April 13th opened the Plastimo Lorient Mini, first event of the Mini season but especially for the first time with a mixed crew. Due to the weather conditions, the start was brought forward and finally 85 boats against 80 registered took the start of this first 50 miles race. The different actors of the event decided to open the race to the 6 crews on the waiting list. The 85 boats that took part set off in 12 to 15 knots of west-northwest wind. The crew of the Maxi 6.50 n°1038, led by Adrien Simon and Chloé Le Bars won this first race, winning the series as well as the general classification. Carlos Manera and his sister Elena, leading the fleet during most of the race, won in proto on the Mini n°1081.
Successful rescue in the Golden Globe Race
British skipper Ian Herbert-Jones activated the distress signal on his EPIRB while sailing in 50 knots of wind gusting to 80 knots and dangerous cross seas of 7.7 m on April 10. His boat was rolled in the waves and dismasted, the skipper, thrown twice in the cockpit was injured in the back and head. A rescue operation was launched to recover the sailor, who was transferred on April 11 to a Taiwanese fishing boat. He is currently en route to South Africa.
Injured, Yannick Bestaven leaves his place on Maître Coq for the first race of the season
Following a fall on his bike, Yannick Bestaven, winner of the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe, fractured his collarbone and broke a few ribs. Unable to participate in the Guyader Bermuda 1000 Race, the first French IMOCA race, he leaves the helm of Maitre CoQ V to Jean-Marie Dauris, technical and sporting director.
François Gabart leaves his place to Tom Laperche
François Gabart has decided to put his career as a solo ocean racer on hold. He thus hands over the helm of the SVR-Lazartigue trimaran to Tom Laperche his co-skipper, winner of the Solitaire du Figaro 2022. The racer and businessman prefers to focus on other activities and sailing with a crew.
A season 3 of the Pro Sailing Tour turned towards the Mediterranean
The five crews competing for season 3 of the Pro Sailing Tour the new Ocean Fifty circuit will head for the Mediterranean with a departure from La Seyne-sur-Mer, a tour of Corsica and Sardinia and then on to Brest for the grand finale in a long run of 1,700 miles.
Ian Lipinski wins the first round of the Atlantic Challenge
Although the race was led by the Italians at the beginning, the change of course towards Horta allowed Ian Lipinski and his two crew members, Antoine Carpentier and Rémi Fermin, to win this first leg of the Atlantic Challenge between Guadeloupe and the Azores. At the forefront from the start, the trio crossed the line on Tuesday, April 11 at 5:11 pm and 36 seconds after 10 days, 11 minutes and 36 seconds of racing. They were able to exploit the weather conditions to overtake the leader just 10 miles ahead of them and finally gain a lead of over 30 miles over the fleet.
Still a great success for the Spi Ouest France
If the first three days of the 45th edition of the Spi Ouest France were marked by sunny races, the last day was gray and rainy, with a south-west wind of 18-20 knots. This edition will have welcomed over the 4 days of racing 2 200 crew members and 439 boats and will have given rise to the launching of 196 races by the committees spread over the 5 zones of Quiberon Bay, consecrating 21 winners in each of the series represented.
A SNIM that delighted skippers and organizers
Organized by the Société Nautique de Marseille from April 7 to 10, 2023, the SNIM has delighted the sailors involved. During four days, the crews raced in varied weather conditions, but favorable to sailing. Up to 13 races were held depending on the category. TP 52s, First 40s, Farr 36s, JPK 10.10s, J70s and Grand Surprises were all on the water in Marseille. In total, 9 winners were rewarded in each category.
