Οn April 28, 33 skippers in IMOCA and 13 in Class40, including some of the brightest and most talented, and 2 in the Vintage category, will set off from Lorient. Direction New York City during a particularly demanding journey in the North Atlantic. Last Friday, OC Sport Pen Duick, the organizer of the race, the sailors involved as well as the partners of the event gathered for the press conference to launch The Transat CIC. In their sights, a unique transatlantic, concentrated in sport, demands and resistance to continue writing the history of a legendary race. Sailors are superstitious but they are also attached to the history of their discipline and to all those who worked to write it. So, the 48 participants in The Transat CIC know the long lineage of this race, heir to the ‘English transat’ born in 1960. It acquired its letters of nobility through exceptional sailors, a certain Éric Tabarly who took part in it is revealed (1964, 1976), Francis Chichester (1960) and Alain Colas (1972) acquired stature there, Loïck Peyron made it his garden (1992, 1996, 2000, 2008)…
A very demanding course
It is in the footsteps of their illustrious predecessors that they follow in this first major highlight of the season. Everyone will meet in Lorient, the port of departure, to share the pleasure of the “days before” with the general public throughout the duration of the village, from Tuesday April 23 to Sunday April 28. Then, it’s time for the ‘top start’ towards New York. Before treating yourself to the joys of arrival, you will have to demonstrate a great capacity for resistance. Weather phenomena can in fact be particularly virulent in the North Atlantic at the end of winter. The skippers will therefore have to progress against storms, against the wind, most often upwind. Conditions which promise to be demanding for the boats as well as for the sailors who will rediscover the joys of single-handed sailing, one year after a season dedicated to double-handed sailing.
Talent at all levels
On the starting line, there will be no shortage of talent. Among the 33 IMOCA skippers are all those who distinguished themselves during last season’s races. We will find Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance), winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race, Yoann Richomme (IMOCA Paprec Arkéa) who won the Return to Base. The IMOCA field also includes five women and several foreign skippers, like the rookies of this race Oliver Heer (Oliver Heer Ocean Racing) and James Harayada (Gentoo Sailing Team).
The battle also promises to be particularly interesting in Class40. We can indeed count on Alberto Bona (IBSA), winner of the championship last year, Ambrogio Beccaria (Alla Grande – Pirelli), winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre and the CIC Normandy Channel Race, or even Ian Lipinski (Credit Mutuel) who won the Défi Atlantique. Amélie Grassi (La Boulangère Bio), Fabien Delahaye (LEGALLAIS), Nicolas d’Estais (CAFÉ JOYEUX), Aurélien Ducroz (CROSSCALL) and Axel Trehin (Project Rescue Ocean) can also claim victory. It will also be the great return of Vincent Riou, solo, aboard Groupe Pierreval – GoodPlanet Foundation. He will be one of the most experienced skippers with Jean Le Cam (64 years old, Tout Commence en Finistère – Armor-Lux, IMOCA). It is therefore a particularly eclectic fleet since very young skippers are also trying the adventure, like Violette Dorange (22 years old, DEVENIR, IMOCA) and Thimoté Polet (23 years old, ZEISS, Class40), who will line up at the start of this ocean racing monument on April 28.
The Transat CIC in figures April 23 : opening of the village April 28 : start of the race 3,500 miles, 6,482 km to go 33 IMOCA skippers registered 13 Class40 skippers registered 2 skippers in the Vintage category registered.
Daniel Baal, President of the CIC: “CIC, title partner of “The Transat CIC” since 2019, is proud to support the return of the oldest and most difficult solo race. “The Transat CIC” is a unique transatlantic race. By the difficulty of its journey. Also through its ability to innovate in the field of ocean racing, to ultimately reveal great talents and write beautiful human and sporting stories. Driven by OC Sport Pen Duick with the support of the CIC, “The Transat CIC” also knows how to be one step ahead by offering a spotlight to sailing maritime transport. Just a return to basics since “The Transat CIC” is also a bridge between two countries, France and the United States, between two ports, Lorient and New York, and brings these great maritime trade routes back to life to the rhythm of the transatlantic race. modern. We are proud to see “The Transat CIC” innovate in this area. CIC supports those who make the world move, “The Transat CIC” is the perfect illustration. »
Fabrice Loher, president of Lorient Agglomération, mayor of Lorient: “By welcoming The transat CIC, Lorient La Base is returning to hosting major emblematic transatlantic races. The reconversion of the former submarine base carried out by Lorient Agglomération has enabled the emergence of an entire ecosystem around international offshore racing. Today, this sector represents nearly 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and the annual economic impact is estimated at €35 million. Lorient La Base has 122 teams and the greatest skippers. The site is also ideal for the organization of major nautical events: Volvo Ocean Race, Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération, 24h Ultim, Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, Tour de France à la Voile, Atlantique-Le Télégramme-Groupama, Retour à la Base… It was chosen to be the setting for the start of the Transat CIC, won 60 years ago by local native Eric Tabarly.»
Loïg Chesnais-Girard, President of the Brittany Region: “A monument to the single-handed ocean race, The Transat CIC has been marked by the exploits of exceptional sailors – particularly Bretons – who, over the years, have contributed to forging its legend. Beyond its sporting, popular and festive character, this event, hosted in the heart of Brittany Sailing Valley®, is an opportunity to highlight the economic ecosystem of competitive sailing in Brittany. More than 220 players make up this sector driven by performance and innovation. This sector, which innovates for many sectors, constitutes a formidable laboratory for exploring the mobility of the future, more respectful of the environment. With the support of the Brittany Region, competitive sailing players are committed and playing a major accelerator role in the ecological transition by mobilizing their innovation capabilities, particularly in the development of propulsion technologies for ships. sailing.It is with this spirit of commitment and conquest that I send my warmest and sincere encouragement to all the sailors who will set off from Lorient on April 28.»
Joseph Bizard, General Director OC Sport Pen Duick: “With its historical attachment, The Transat CIC promises a great sporting explanation, a popular celebration starting in Lorient and a prestigious arrival in New York. A unique, incomparable race, which allows everyone, skippers, partners, public to experience a unique adventure on both sides of the Atlantic. I would like to warmly greet all of our committed skippers, and to thank the CIC who gave its name to this legendary event, resolutely turned towards the future, to the city of Lorient and the Brittany region who are opening the doors of their territory wide to make this race a popular event. Together, we are preparing to experience a great sporting moment.»
Text & Photo Credits: OC Sport Pen Duick
