Successful start for Transat CIC
On Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 1:30 pm, the IMOCA and Class40 fleets set sail from Lorient for the CIC Transat. The 48 solo sailors cast off for a transatlantic race to New York in perfect conditions off the Morbihan port. With a dozen knots of westerly wind and mild seas, the yachts quickly crossed the line off Larmor-Plage, before setting course for the Pointe des Chats, east of the island of Groix, where three compulsory course marks awaited them, in order to round the island's coastline and avoid the rocks.
The first beam leg allowed the public to see Charal and Macif, the two favourites leading the IMOCA fleet, take off a few times, even if a few knots of wind were missing for more constant flights.
In the Class40s, the 13 boats were also looking good, led by Nicolas d'Estais on Café Joyeux.
Once round the island, the fleet headed west, sheltering from the current north of Les Glénan, and quickly aiming for Ireland in search of the first front.
Competition returns to Lorient
While Lorient has for many years been the nerve center of ocean racing in France, hosting 3 Ultim trimarans, the majority of IMOCA boats and large fleets of Class40 and Mini boats, the Morbihan town has hosted few major races for the larger boat fleets. With the exception of the recent stopovers of The Ocean Race, few major events had established themselves here. With the arrival of the Retour à la Base in autumn 2023, and the start of The Transat CIC expected again in 2028, the port is demonstrating its determination to cease being a purely technical stopover.
With a well-stocked stretch of water, made up in part by the numerous teams' RIBs, but also by yachtsmen spoiled by accommodating weather, and a lively village, Lorient won its first bet.
