Transat CIC Sailors Arrive in New York with Joy – Winners Celebrate Tomorrow

Tired but also and above all the joy of arriving in New York could be seen on the faces of the sailors when they arrived at the pontoon. Happy to have landed, ready to go back with other competitors such as the first four in Class 40 – Ambrogio Beccaria (Alla Grande – Pirelli), Ian Lipinski (Crédit Mutuel), Fabien Delahaye (LEGALLAIS) and Nicolas d At Estais (CAFÉ JOYEUX), everyone participated in the question-and-answer game with a smile. Denis van Weynbergh, who arrived at night in New York, was an exception to the rule. Very moving, the Belgian skipper, 24th in the Transat CIC in IMOCA, looked back on his race, a transocean that has “dreamed of him since his youth” and in which he always wanted a part to take “It’s a race you have to do at least once in your life, maybe not twice. She is tough, committed. We knew it even though we had circumstances that were a little different from the norm. We had everything: strong downwind, strong wind… That’s also what we were looking for,” he said when he arrived in New York. “It’s awesome to get here. It’s like doing Roland Garros or the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. Just getting here is an achievement in itself. The aim was to confirm my qualification for the Vendée Globe. We criticized her in New York. We could not have dreamed better. It’s a good time,” he said. Early in the morning, Alberto Bona (IBSA), one of the favorites of the Class40 race, reached the sun after crossing the finish line in 5th position of the “hardest race” he did. The Italian skipper, who encountered many technical problems and made some mistakes during the race, was a little disappointed that he was not able to compete with the leader of the fleet. “It was difficult because I think every race has a story. This one was not for me. But I got it finished, it’s one of the most important things. Now is the time for repairs before the next race,” he said. Vincent Riou (Pierreval – GoodPlanet Foundation), 6th in Class 40, is the next expected competitor on the pontoon.

This Saturday, seven captains are still heading to New York. “Three boats that had to suspend the race while repairs were carried out: La Boulangère Bio (Amélie Grassi, Class40), the next expected competitor on the line, L’Occitane en Provence (Clarisse Crémer, IMOCA), back in the Azores. yesterday’s race, and Good Morning Pouce (Anatole Facon, Class40)”, recalls Yann Chateau, Assistant Race Director. For their part, Oliver Heer (Oliver Heer Ocean Racing, IMOCA) and Timothé Polet ( ZEISS) on board. For them, “adventure takes over, with the goal of reaching the end at all costs by trying to do the best with the means are available and their boat location” You have to believe the Manhattan skyline is worth it!

Finally, in the Vintage category, Patrick Isoard (Uship for Children of the Mekong) and Rémy Gerin also continue their journey to the border “at their own pace, in different circumstances”. A real mix of adventure and the search for achievement, trying to get the most out of their boat.

Sailors celebrate tomorrow in New York

The awards ceremony for the 15th edition of The Transat CIC, sponsored by the Fête de la Bretagne in New York, will take place this Sunday at 6pm (local time) on the Wavertree boat for the IMOCA and Class40 podiums.

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