Friday 30 October, the Ultims of the Route du Rhum left the port of Saint-Malo via the locks, ahead of Sunday's start.
On Friday 30 October, the Ultims of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe passed through the locks of the port of Saint-Malo to head out to sea. This spectacular and eagerly awaited manoeuvre marked the final stage before the grand start scheduled for Sunday 1 November. The largest multihulls in the fleet, true giants of the seas, thus reached the starting area.
Passing through the locks is a delicate moment for these vessels over 30 metres long. Their wide hulls and towering masts require precise manoeuvring, watched by the public who had come to enjoy the spectacle. Shore teams carefully guided the skippers, ensuring an unhindered exit towards a sea that promised to be rough.
This morning departure allowed the Ultim class competitors to validate their systems one last time before the start. For many, it was also an opportunity to test settings in real conditions after weeks of intense preparation. Observers noted that the weather could play a key role in this edition, with potentially strong winds on the course.
The Route du Rhum, a transatlantic race linking Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, brings together several classes of sailing boat. The Ultims, the fastest, should reach the West Indies first, but sailing remains uncertain. Aware of the challenges, the skippers approach this event with caution and determination. The coming hours look set to be decisive for the rest of the race.
After leaving the locks, the Ultims will stand ready for the start. The other classes will follow in the coming days. The crowd, massed on the dykes, saluted the sailors one last time before they disappeared over the horizon. The countdown is on for this new edition of the legendary transat.
The organisers remind that safety remains the absolute priority. Conditions at sea will be closely monitored. For now, all lights are green for an on-time start. Sailing enthusiasts are now eagerly awaiting the first hours of the race, which promise to be full of twists and turns.
Passing through the locks is a delicate moment for these vessels over 30 metres long. Their wide hulls and towering masts require precise manoeuvring, watched by the public who had come to enjoy the spectacle. Shore teams carefully guided the skippers, ensuring an unhindered exit towards a sea that promised to be rough.
This morning departure allowed the Ultim class competitors to validate their systems one last time before the start. For many, it was also an opportunity to test settings in real conditions after weeks of intense preparation. Observers noted that the weather could play a key role in this edition, with potentially strong winds on the course.
The Route du Rhum, a transatlantic race linking Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, brings together several classes of sailing boat. The Ultims, the fastest, should reach the West Indies first, but sailing remains uncertain. Aware of the challenges, the skippers approach this event with caution and determination. The coming hours look set to be decisive for the rest of the race.
After leaving the locks, the Ultims will stand ready for the start. The other classes will follow in the coming days. The crowd, massed on the dykes, saluted the sailors one last time before they disappeared over the horizon. The countdown is on for this new edition of the legendary transat.
The organisers remind that safety remains the absolute priority. Conditions at sea will be closely monitored. For now, all lights are green for an on-time start. Sailing enthusiasts are now eagerly awaiting the first hours of the race, which promise to be full of twists and turns.
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Source: Ouest-France