100 sailors set a course for Martinique

100 sailors set a course for Martinique

by Cap Martinique 14 Apr 09:56 PDT
From 14 April 2024

“I’ve by no means seen something prefer it!” says a daily customer to the port, staring wide-eyed on the spectacle. It’s the first time that such an enormous crowd has gathered within the port to bid the Cap-Martinique rivals a fond farewell. Although huge, the principle pontoon is completely packed, guests having to choose their means by means of the crowds to want a competitor nicely. Those that aren’t on the pontoons are massed alongside the Môle Loïc Caradec amidst a joyful environment, every body admirative of those heroes setting sail on the journey of a lifetime. As with the foremost offshore races, they solid off one after the opposite to make for the Dream Yacht beginning line.

Thibaut Derville, co-organiser of the occasion, could be very happy with the beginning. “The 60 boats docked out in a really festive environment. Feelings had been working excessive, even for many who are well-honed in such procedures. It was the identical state of affairs on the pontoon. Persons are all the time emotional and cheer on all of the individuals.” The beginning gun on the French Navy ship, La Garonne, is fired by Vice-Admiral Jean-François Quérat of the Maritime Prefect at 15:00 hours native time on the dot.

A transatlantic for amateurs

This Cap-Martinique is moderately distinctive on the planet of offshore racing. Certainly, it’s the solely continuous transatlantic race for amateurs. For the individuals, it’s usually a lifelong dream, like just a little Route du Rhum for Corinthians. Adrian Kuttel has come from South Africa to be part of this journey: “It is an excellent course with some wonderful boats and the fleet is fabulous. There are some superb individuals and a few nice sailors. I am hooked on the Cap-Martinique,” says the sailor, who’s competing single-handed this yr after taking part within the final version double-handed.

Jean-Philippe Cau, co-organiser:

“We’re overawed by the spectacle ourselves! There are 100 of them and they’re clearly wanting to get going. For us, that is one thing really epic. We all know we’ll see them once more in three weeks’ time, however they are going to expertise the entire gamut of human emotion throughout that point. It is fairly a momentous event, even for us. It is without doubt one of the excessive factors of this race and there will probably be others.”

Thibaut Derville, co-organiser:

“We started the day with a backdrop of gray and now the climate is fabulous. It is paying homage to Martinique already. The 60 boats solid off from the pontoon in a very fantastic environment. Feelings had been working excessive, even for many who are well-honed in such procedures. It was the identical state of affairs on the pontoon. Persons are all the time emotional and cheer on all of the individuals. For us, it’s the end result of two years of labor, however we’ll be actually relieved as soon as they get to the opposite facet in Fort-de-France.”

Adrian Kuttel (Sentinel Ocean Alliance):

“I am able to go, I am nicely ready and I am wanting to get going. There have been numerous storms for the reason that begin of the yr and we lastly have some sunshine now. We’re setting sail in some nice circumstances and we’ll get throughout the Atlantic in a short time. Meaning we will gently get into the swing of the competitors. It is a incredible race. The organisers are very skilled. It is an excellent course with some wonderful boats and the fleet is fabulous. There are some superb individuals and a few nice sailors. I am hooked on the Cap-Martinique. I needed to do the final version single-handed however Covid prevented me from doing so. In my opinion, it’s the solo crusing which makes this such a rare journey. It’s a non secular journey, the place you need to be in tune with what’s going on in your thoughts. You need to get a really feel for the boat and get a really feel for nature. It is fabulous and such a privilege. I really like crusing single-handed.”

Even Job (Epilepsie France):

“We’re making an attempt to empty our minds. We’re pondering again to the moments of preparation. The emotion is starting to take maintain a bit, together with the stress, however I am eager to set off, to solid off from the pontoon and have some enjoyable, as a result of that is basically what we’re right here for. I am wanting to carry out nicely and, if that is mirrored within the rating then a lot the higher. An important second is removing from the pontoon, giving these in our entourage a giant hug and realising that we love them.”

Harold Baseden and Thaïs Cathelineau (Vaincre la mucoviscidose):

“We’re so completely happy to be setting sail. We have simply left our two younger daughters behind us and we all know that we’re not going to see them once more for a month, which is the hardest factor of all. We will attempt to make a great crossing, to watch out and to get again along with them in a month’s time. We’ll quickly get into the spirit of the competitors and that will probably be all-consuming for the following month.”