Yesterday morning, the solo sailors of The Transat CIC left the pontoons of Lorient La Base in the rain… but a few clouds later, the sky cleared and the start of this very first transatlantic race of the season, the last for Louis Duc before the Vendée Globe, was given in magical weather conditions: medium wind, flat sea and a light to make all photographers pale!
The skipper Fives Group – Lantana Environnement got off to a very good start. He has since moved into the top three of the IMOCA dinghies and this morning leads the race neck and neck with Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur – Duo for a Job).
The solitaires of The Transat CIC sail in a very grouped way, heading northwest, to look for the first depression of this crossing of the North Atlantic.
Once again, the Norman skipper is making progress in the heart of the IMOCA fleet. At 7am this morning, he was 16th overall and 1st IMOCA with drifts, followed by Benjamin Ferré.
The weather conditions encountered on this first night of racing did not create large speed gaps. Going quietly at a 10 knots yesterday afternoon, the competitors significantly accelerated the pace this morning with more than 18 knots for Louis and 19 to 23 knots for the foilers.
In a few hours, under the depression, the wind will turn north, the sails will open and the bows can then point to America… high-speed.
First message from the ship this morning: "It’s sailing to reach, it’s going by itself this morning! Good first day, with a start in regatta with the whole fleet. A passage to draw edges in the pebbles in the West of Glénan: it was not planned, a little sport!
Now we’re heading to the southwest of Ireland with the weather update planned… Have a nice day!”
Fives Group – Lantana Environnement team Programme
- April 28th 2024: Start of The Transat CIC
- September 12th-14th 2024: Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération
- November 10th 2024: start of Vendée Globe
A respectuous and circular sporting event
The Fives IMOCA is an "upcycled" boat. Thanks to Louis, it lives a 2nd life!
Louis and his team gave a new life to a very damaged IMOCA because of a fire. This refurbishment undertaking was a real technical challenge... that succeeded in only 10 months!
Louis and his team continue to apply this upcycling principle and optimization research with a constant effort on sobriety throughout this Vendée Globe program.
Louis is also very keen on respecting everyone's work and giving a chance.
The Fives Group, a major partner in this Vendée Globe program, has been seduced by such commitment and values, as it shares the same values and responsibilities.
Fives, your partner for a more virtuous industry
For over 200 years, the Group has designed the breakthrough solutions and technologies that make industry what it is. From the first railways to the Eiffel Tower, through the spatial conquest, Fives always spearheaded the industry of the future. Pioneering decarbonization, the Group is an unconditional partner of the industry's energy transition. Through digitization, the promotion of a circular economy and the development of new processes and new energy sources, Fives puts its technological leadership to its customers' service.
www.fivesgroup.com