“Today the skipper completes his solo transatlantic race aboard a Class40, having faced some of the worst storms and harshest upwind conditions he has seen over his career so far”
22.05.2016
At 08:33:30 BST today, Région Normandie skipper Edouard Golbery crossed The Transat bakerly finish line at Sandy Hook
At 08:33:30 BST today, Région Normandie skipper Edouard Golbery crossed The Transat bakerly finish line at Sandy Hook, New York to finish fourth in the Class40 division.
Finishing 6th in the 2015 Mini Transat (Series), Golbery is no stranger to crossing oceans on small boats. However, today the skipper completes his first solo transatlantic race aboard a Class40, having faced some of the worst storms and harshest upwind conditions he has seen over his career so far.
Covering a total 3979nm of the unforgiving north Atlantic ocean at an average speed of 6.41 knots, the 29 year old Frenchman concludes his intense upwind adventure in a time of 19 days, 18 hours, three minutes and 30 seconds.
As the end of the race drew near and conditions on the course worsened, so did the issues with the Class40 fleet. Golbery was one of the first to report an issue with his sails after the second violent depression that hit. With significant damage to his mainsail, he was forced to turn a full 360 degrees south and away from the worst of the north Atlantic weather.
Speaking with Race HQ on the penultimate day of racing, Golbery reported that the final fight for fourth was with fellow Mini 6.50 sailor Robin Marais aboard Espirit Scout.
“For me the battle to the finish is with Robin,” Golbery reported on his way to the finish line. “I can see him from here. I’ve been sailing next to him, but now I need to decide which way to go to take the advantage - it’s hard to choose.”
“Life is pretty good onboard, but I’m feeling quite burnt out. We have some transitions coming up so I have to be in shape for the finish.”
The skipper also reported that he was rationing water and has no food left onboard, so the sight of New York skyscrapers on the horizon couldn’t come any quickly for Golbery.
To finish the race in contention with the lead was the skipper’s goal and in the final hours, to beat Marais to fourth. Today Golbery completes his mission, finishing fourth of 10 boats just two days, five hours, 20 minutes and 34 seconds behind Class40 winner Thibaut Vauchel-Camus aboard Solidaires en Peloton-Arsep.
