Heading for Cowes

It’s now less than two days until the start of the 49th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, offshore of the Isle of Wight on UK shores. As such, the 450 competing boats are preparing to make for the Solent. For the 60-foot IMOCA in the colours of Prysmian Group and Electriciens sans frontieres, she will leave her Lorient base at the end of today skippered by the Giancarlo Pedote – Martin Le Pape duo, and accompanied by Martina, the on-board reporter and Rémi Fermin, the project’s boat captain. “We’re going to have one last briefing with all the team this Friday morning to take stock of the supplies, the spare equipment and the final details to ensure we thoroughly check everything and ensure that everyone is clear on their roles. Martin and I will also review the Sailing Instructions and the weather before we begin the delivery trip”, explained the Italian sailor. At 11:25 UTC, after a short stand-by period in Cowes, the team will set sail with the 12 other IMOCAs competing in the 695-mile race bound for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin via the legendary Fastnet lighthouse. “Shortly before the start procedure, Rémi will jump clear of the boat into the water and will be recovered by a launch. From that point in time, it’ll be over to Martin and I to get down to action. For now, the forecast is not showing too much breeze. However, we’ll have a lot to do, as ever, as we’ll have to negotiate ridges of high pressure, wind shifts, the beat out of the Solent with some current and so on… We’ll have a bit of everything so things are going to get interesting”, assures Giancarlo.