Qualifying for the Vendée Globe 2024
IMOCA yachts return to competition. After a busy winter of work, 33 IMOCA sailors are making their return to competition on The Transat CIC. This very northerly course between Lorient and New York features weather conditions similar to those of the Vendée Globe, which they will start in autumn 2024. Ideal, then, for training, preparing and testing themselves against the other competitors. All the more so as several skippers are not yet assured of taking part in the solo round-the-world race. The Transat will allow them to validate their qualification process by taking part in the first race of 2024.
Fearsome favorites
Among the sailors will be several favorites. Starting with Charlie Dalin, on Macif Santé Prévoyance, winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2023, who is often found on the top step of the podium in class races. Although he had to pull out of the two transatlantic races at the end of 2023 for health reasons, here he is, back in his first solo race since the Route du Rhum. He will also be joined by Yohann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) and Jérémie Beyou (Charal), 1st and 2nd respectively in the Retour à la Base race in December 2023. Since his arrival on the circuit at the end of 2021, the two-time winner of the Solitaire du Figaro and the Route du Rhum in Class40 has been a regular on the race podium. The same has been true of Charal's skipper for several years.
Serious underdogs
The infernal trio will be able to count on serious outsiders such as Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB), Boris Herrmann (Malizia-Seaexplorer) as well as Yannick Bestaven (Maitre Coq V), Justine Mettraux (Teamwork Groupe Snef) and Samantha Davies (Initiatives-C?ur).
In fact, 5 women will be on the starting line, including Isabelle Joschke (MACSF), Violette Dorange (Devenir) and Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane en Provence). The internationals - Switzerland's Oliver Heer (Oliver Heer Ocean Racing) and England's James Harayda (Gentoo Sailing Team) - will be undertaking their second solo transatlantic race.
The battle for right-wing drift
The daggerboard group also offers a fine array of sailors battling it out, forming a kind of category within the Class. Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur - Duo for a job), who joined the IMOCA circuit in 2022, has put in some fine performances, even though his boat dates back to 2010. We'll also be keeping a close eye on Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com) and Tanguy Le Turquais, also newcomers to the IMOCA class.
