Blue skies, summer temperatures, Creole music and the odd glass of rum. There is already a definite Caribbean vibe in the Cap-Martinique race village in La Trinité-sur-Mer in Brittany.
It has to be said that Fort-de-France has never been so close to the Morbihan. The 60 boats entered in this transatlantic race are due to set sail in balmy conditions then, with light airs and flat seas.
The winner of last year’s double-handed category, Ludovic Gérard, is racing single-handed this time aboard Pure Ocean and is relishing the little nudge in the right direction from the weather after weeks of wind and rain. “It’s nicer for the family and friends coming along to support us,” beams the sailor from the south of France. Race meteorologist Christian Dumard also sees an express descent where the competitors may well get the chance to fly their entire range of spinnakers.
The passage around Cape Finisterre is likely to be more boisterous with heavy seas and stronger breeze, though there is nothing likely to worry the seasoned sailors in this Cap-Martinique. Once the front has rolled through, tactics and strategy will likely take centre stage again. “There are several options for getting down to Portugal,” explains Ludovic Gérard, who is already setting his sights on the trade wind, which is on track to settle into position. As we said before, Martinique has never seemed so close.
