Cap Martinique 2022 - Start
by Cap Martinique 2 May 2022 07:21 AEST
1 May 2022
Blue skies, summer temperatures and just the right amount of breeze. Conditions could not have been better for the start of the Cap-Martinique, which set sail at 15:00 hours local time from La Trinite-sur-Mer (Morbihan, Brittany). The 62 competitors set a course for Fort-de-France (Martinique) where they're expected to cross the finish line from 20 May after what is forecast to be a speedy crossing.
Jean-Philippe Cau, co-organiser of the event, was delighted to host a start in such favourable conditions. "The gods were with us. The wind was light, but everyone got off to a good start on a direct course for Martinique. The breeze is quickly set to build today so they'll pick up the pace considerably over the coming hours." The starting gun was fired from La Panthère, the French Navy ship, by Bénédicte Di Geronimo, President of the Martinique Tourism Committee: "It was a real pleasure to release the fleet in what seem to me to be extremely favourable conditions. The start more than lived up to expectations."
This is a dream come true for these women and men, a little Route du Rhum of sorts within reach of amateurs. Indeed, this race is aimed at those for whom the sea is not their profession, forcing the competitors to put their jobs and careers on hold temporarily whilst they race across the Atlantic. Hervé Chataigner, a surgeon in Besançon explains: "I'm doing it because I love singlehanded racing; it's a remarkable race. It's important to realise that we're privileged to be able to do this. The most powerful moment is seeing land once you get to the other side after 20 days at sea. It's an unforgettable moment, which you never tire of."
Thibaut Derville, co-organiser, salutes this performance: "These sailors have managed to reconcile what is often a hectic professional life and their passion. This requires a great deal of sacrifice. One doesn't necessarily realise what an almighty feat it is to cross the Atlantic under sail. For a great many of them, it's the race of a lifetime."
Bénédicte di Geronimo (President of the CMT) interviewed
"We enjoyed a stunning start to the race. On the one hand it was like a ballet on water with all these boats at the start and the happiness that prevails among all the competitors and the boats out at sea to bid them farewell. It was a real pleasure to release the fleet in what seem to me to be extremely favourable conditions.
"The start more than lived up to expectations with huge crowds in the race village. Martinique managed to exert its influence and showcase all the beauty that awaits the competitors in this race. See you in 20 days' time in Fort-de-France where we'll greet you with the same fervour and attention as that given to the crews. Today is also an important day as May is a high point of the season for Martinique. It celebrates the eruption of our Montagne Pelée in 1902 and it also celebrates the abolishing of slavery.
"As a result, we're delighted to be able to host the race at such a crucial period and to showcase the island's delights."