Offshore racing is back in force in La Rochelle with the setting up by Grand Pavois Organization of the Atlantic Challenge Guadeloupe> Horta> La Rochelle reserved for the Class40. 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 archipelago. Note that this new race on the calendar of the French Sailing Federation will leave Guadeloupe on Saturday, March 23 to rally crew (minimum 2 on board) Horta to the Azores, then La Rochelle to Saturday, April 13 / Sunday, April 14, 2019.

A stopover in Horta important!

Placed under the organization of Grand Pavois Organization and under the leadership of Denis Hugues, the stopover in Horta has many advantages. Indeed, this stopover will first of all bring the fleet together after two-thirds of the Atlantic crossing, before approaching Europe and the Bay of Biscay. An important stop that will allow the skippers to be able to change crew, board or unload some team members, also offering those who wish it the opportunity to perform their qualification in double for the next Transat Jacques Vabre.

Another advantage, this will offer the opportunity to have a second highlight sailing by offering a real regatta to contact over the last 1200 miles race. In fact, arrivals should be grouped in the city in both rounds and we could have real “match-race” in the Charentais sluices near the finish line. Exciting…

Finally, this stopover in Horta will avoid confronting the Class40 weather conditions may be violent at this time of year on this last part of the course. Remember that the probabilities of being confronted with very active low pressure systems may be important in this area of ​​navigation this season. Three reasons to say that the stopover in Horta is a real asset in the creation of this new appointment!

Who are the starters at this first edition on January 9, 2019?

There are 14 crews registered to this first Atlantic Challenge, knowing that the entries are still open. To note the inscriptions of:

Loïc Fequet (Tibco – 123)

Aymeric Chappellier (Aïna Childhood and Future – 151)

Marc Dubos (Scouting Spirit – 81)

Miranda Merron (Campaign of France – 147)

Franz Bouvet (Yoda – 65)

Morgane Ursault-Poupon (Fleury Michon Bio – 30)

Arthur Hubert (Hope for a Rum – 152)

Mikael Riking (Talenta – 95)

Emmanuel Le Roch (Edenred – 100)

Charles-Louis Mourruau (Lost Boys – 101)

Luke Berry (Lamotte – Creation Module – 153)

Catherine Pourre (Earendil – 145)

Kito De Pavant (Made in Midi – 142)

Andrea Fantini (55) …