Severe storm warnings had led to the postponement of the start. On 6 November, the originally planned start day, the organisers from OC Sport Pen Duick and race director Francis Le Goff now announced the new start date for the twelfth edition of the Route du Rhum since 1978. The starting signal for the legendary solo race with six classes will be given on 9 November at 2.15 pm. "The weather should be more manageable by then, we are expecting westerly winds of around 15 knots," announced Le Goff.
"The start of the race should now be far less dangerous"
Le Goff continued: "The situation will be favourable and allow the boats to get out of the English Channel. The forecasts seem to be very reliable with a probability of more than 90 per cent. The start of the race should be far less dangerous than if the start had been on Sunday."
Click here for the special TV programme on the postponement of the race - also in French, it offers many insights, shows the reactions of the skippers and the scenario as well as the considerations that led to the postponement:
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Boris Herrmann:"A good decision"
The historic first postponement of the start of the legendary solo regatta was welcomed by the vast majority of participants. "Malizia - Seaexplorer" skipper Boris Herrmann from Hamburg said: "It might have been possible to deal with 55 knots of wind in the peaks, even if it wouldn't have been easy. We certainly wouldn't have raced, but would have tried to survive the first few days. The start with the many boats in a very narrow corridor would have been a real worry. In my opinion, the postponement is a good decision."
The participating skippers will attend another weather briefing the day before the start. The 38 Imocas and eight Ocean Fifty boats will leave the docks in Saint-Malo on Tuesday afternoon (times to be announced). The Class 40, Rhum Mono and Rhum Multi categories will pass through the locks on Wednesday morning.
The preparations will be similar to those for the Ultim 32/23 giants on Friday, with grandstands allowing the public to watch the farewells live. In Saint-Malo harbour, this Sunday will be the last day that the Village will be open, closing at 5pm. Click here to go to the Route du Rhum homepage.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
