Departure imminent
Yesterday afternoon and all through the night, the basins of Saint Malo have been emptied of their occupants. Indeed, the tidal coefficients are such that the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe fleet has had to sleep outside. Solely the Maxi Edmond de Rothschildand its pontoon neighbour Banque Populaire IXcast off in the early hours, bound for the start zone.
The latest weather forecasts are still announcing a South/South-Westerly breeze of 15/20 knots offshore of the Pointe du Groin, which should enable the latest addition to the Gitana fleet and her rivals to set sail on a reach, a point of sail favourable for speed and spectacle.
There are 17 nautical miles between the Pointe du Groinand Cap Fréhel, the last passage mark before the fleet heads offshore and this section could well be devoured in just 30 minutes by the giants.
Start at 13:00 GMT this Sunday (14:00 FR).
