The start of the transatlantic classic Route du Rhum in the Breton port of Saint-Malo has been postponed to next Wednesday. A serious storm warning puts a spanner in the works for the organizers and 138 skippers – including Boris Herrmann from Hamburg.
The start of the transatlantic sailing regatta Route du Rhum, which was planned for Sunday, has been postponed to Wednesday (2:15 p.m.) by the organizers. The reason was the forecast of heavy storms for Sunday, which would have hit the fleet of 138 boats in the first few hours. The 3,542 nautical mile race goes from Saint-Malo in France to Guadeloupe. There has never been a relocation of the start in the more than 40-year history of the one-handed classic.
Conditions much tougher than initially expected
Although the boats could have put out to sea as planned on Sunday with a wind of 20 to 25 knots, the weather report shows that in the following 36 hours the conditions would be much tougher than initially expected. The foothills of the tropical storm “Martin” bring with them average winds of around 40 knots and gusts of more than 50 knots as well as heavy seas in the Breton starting area.
Boris Herrmann: “A good decision”
For the ships, which all start at the same time, the risk would have been too high under these circumstances to reach the high seas unscathed. In the past 24 hours, many solo sailors have expressed their concerns, the organizers said, emphasizing: “The decision takes all factors into account, but above all the safety of the 138 sailors.” There was a great consensus and spontaneous applause when the announcement was made, reported Boris Herrmann, who said: “It’s a good decision.”
First solo endurance test with new ship
For the native of Oldenburg, the twelfth edition of the Route du Rhum will be the first solo endurance test with his new ship. The 41-year-old wants to make the long journey to the Caribbean in less than 14 days. If he finishes, he will already qualify for his second Vendée Globe participation in 2024/2025 – then with a well-engineered boat. At his premiere, only a collision with a fishing trawler just before the finish prevented him from even better than fifth place.
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sports club | 06.11.2022 | 10:50 p.m
