2019 Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe - Preview
by Veronique Largeau 16 Jan 2019 03:32 AEDT
23 March - 14 April 2019
Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle © Robin Christol
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 two 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.