This Tuesday, all the competitors will be leaving the pontoons in Lorient to take part in the rounding of the island of Groix. It's an opportunity to admire the boats and, for a lucky few, to experience the thrill of sailing aboard a Class40 or an IMOCA.
Next Sunday will see the start of the great adventure, with the departure from Lorient for New York. But between now and then, the excitement will gradually build in Lorient. While the village will be open to the public from tomorrow morning and the official inauguration will take place at the end of the day, all the skippers in The Transat CIC will be taking part. Indeed, with the exception of the two skippers in the Vintage category, all the IMOCA and Class40 boats will be leaving the harbour to sail around the island of Groix.
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It's a moment of communion with the general public, who will be able to see the boats from the Village (before 1.30pm and after 4.30pm), on the approaches to the channel (from 2pm to 2.30pm and from 4pm to 4.30pm) and on the coast (from 2.30pm to 4.30pm). Of course, the island of Groix is an ideal spot to admire them throughout the afternoon. Although the skies are likely to be overcast, no precipitation is expected. The wind is expected to vary between 8 and 10 knots.
On board, in addition to the sailors and one or two members of their technical teams, guests will be able to take their places. "Everything has been organised to ensure that they have the time of their lives," emphasises Francis Le Goff, the race director. A countdown will be given for each boat. The boats will set off every two minutes. The sailors will round the island of Groix in a clockwise direction before the finish, which will be awarded at the entrance to the channel. The time of each competitor will be counted and the winners will be rewarded at the end of the official inauguration at around 6.30pm..
