photo on top: Belgian Class40 Visit Brussels (2014 Route du Rhum)
Guadeloupe – La Rochelle !
14 CLASS40 REGISTERED
(AS AT 9 JANUARY 2019) DEPARTING
FROM GUADELOUPE ON 23 MARCH!
- A return Atlantic race for Class40 with a crew (two minimum) between Guadeloupe, Horta and La Rochelle.
- A major stopover in the Azores!
- Who is currently registered?
- Departure on Saturday 23 March from Guadeloupe for an arrival in La Rochelle in the middle of April.
Ocean
racing is back in force in La Rochelle with the setting up of the Défi
Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle reserved for Class40
by Grand Pavois Organisation. This new event is the first of its kind to
offer a departure from Guadeloupe with an arrival in La Rochelle, after
a stopover in Horta in the Azores. It should be noted that this new
race, which features on the Fédération Française de Voile’s annual
programme, will depart from Guadeloupe on Saturday 23 March so that the
crews (minimum of 2 people aboard) arrive in Horta in the Azores, then
in La Rochelle, on approximately Saturday 13 April/Sunday 14 April 2019.
A major stopover in Horta!
Organised by Grand Pavois Organisation and under the race management of
Denis Hugues, the stopover in Horta offers many advantages. Indeed, this
stopover will allow the fleet to meet up after two-thirds of the
Atlantic crossing have been completed, before heading for Europe and the
Gulf of Gascony. A major stopover that will allow the skippers to
change crew, swap over crew members, and offer those who wish the
opportunity to complete their two-man team qualification for the
forthcoming Transat Jacques Vabre.
Another advantage is that it will offer the chance for a second sailing
highlight with a genuine close contact regatta over the last 1,200 miles
of the race. As a result, the arrivals should be grouped together in La
Rochelle and we will be able to enjoy genuine “match-races” in the
Pertuis Charente on the approach to the finish line. Thrilling…
Finally, this stopover in Horta will allow the Class40 to avoid the
sometimes violent weather conditions at this time of the year on the
final section of the race. Remember that the likelihood of having to
deal with a very active low pressure system is very high in this sailing
area at this season. Three reasons which explain why a stopover in
Horta is a genuine asset for this new event.
Who is setting sail for this first edition on 9 January 2019?
14 crews are currently registered for this first Défi Atlantique,
bearing in mind that registrations are still open. We can already
confirm the presence of:
- Loïc Fequet (Tibco – 123)
- Aymeric Chappellier (Aïna Enfance et Avenir – 151)
- Marc Dubos (Esprit Scout – 81)
- Miranda Merron (Campagne de France – 147)
- Franz Bouvet (Yoda – 65)
- Morgane Ursault-Poupon (Fleury Michon Bio – 30)
- Arthur Hubert (Espoir pour un Rhum – 152)
- Mikael Riking (Talenta – 95)
- Emmanuel Le Roch (Edenred – 100)
- Charles-Louis Mourruau (Lost Boys – 101)
- Luke Berry (Lamotte Module Création – 153)
- Catherine Pourre (Earendil – 145)
- Kito De Pavant (Made in Midi – 142)
- Andréa Fantini (55), etc.
Partners brought together around the Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle
Several partners have confirmed their presence for this first edition
with the Guadeloupe Region, the Municipality of La Rochelle, the
Communauté d’Agglomération de La Rochelle, Horta (Azores), La Rochelle
Marina, the Grand Port de La Rochelle, the Department of
Charente-Maritime, not to mention the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, Class40
and FFVoile.
What you need to remember:
- The route: La Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle
- Number of competitors: 14 as at 9 January 2019
- Boat category: Class40 monohulls
- Departure date from Guadeloupe: Saturday 23 March
- Arrival dates in La Rochelle: Saturday 13/ Sunday 14 April
- Race crew: Minimum 2 or more.
| CONTACT e-mail: gpo@grand-pavois.com Floriane Bouillard – Press Relations France Véronique Largeau – International Press Relations Etienne Hardy – Head of Sea Logistic |