In position in Le Havre

Having set sail from Lorient on Wednesday at around 15:30 UTC, Giancarlo Pedote and Anthony Marchand, accompanied for the occasion by the naval architect Antoine Lauriot-Prévost from the VPLP design firm, have now completed their high-speed delivery trip to Le Havre, the start venue for the Transat Jacques Vabre. Indeed, the two co-skippers of the 60-footer Prysmian Group benefited from some bracing conditions for their journey as the Italian sailor explains: “ We had breeze from start to finish, with an average of 20-22 knots, gusting to 25-28. Everything went very well. We had a massive amount of swell at the start, offshore of the Ile de Groix, then as we got the lift the sea became flatter. All in all, it was a pleasant trip and we made it into the Baie de Seine at around 19:00 UTC the following day ”, explained Giancarlo, who then had to wait around for the passage through the lock gates before docking into the Bassin Paul Vatine yesterday on the stroke of midnight. A basin located at the heart of the race village, this is where the boat will now remain until the start of the event, on 27 October 2019. “ We’re gently getting into race mode. On a personal level, I’ve said my goodbyes to my wife and my kids, who I won’t now see again until the end of my return delivery trip from Brazil ”, explains the skipper, who took the time to take stock of things aboard the boat with his shore crew this morning. “ On a positive note, we didn’t have any particular issues during the delivery trip. As such, there is just the usual spot of tinkering to be done ”, says the sailor who, like his co-skipper, isn’t planning on leaving Le Havre between now and the start. “ Some skippers prefer to go back home, but Anthony and I want to be able to focus all our energy on the transatlantic race. From here on in we’re going to get into the zone, whilst taking the time to satisfy the various demands of the organisation and the media ”.