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 © Yvan Zedda Prologue. In keeping with British tradition, the six strong fleet of trimarans (sailed by a total of 36 sailors) set out on the race itself which will lead them along a fair number of miles of the coast of Europe, via the North Sea, the Channel, the Bay of Biscay, the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean. A fine salute to London where the fleet had set up home for the past four days. Tea time ashore and sea time for the multihulls, crossing the starting line in the Thames at 17h09, at the point where the river widens out into "the real salty sea" as Michel Desjoyeaux calls it, where there’s much more room to manoeuvre. Stretching out in front of the finely honed bows, 2 650 nautical miles and no doubt a good dozen or so days at sea. A life size game of battleships. Conditions will keep the crews on their toes. But what is likely to make the going tough is not the strength of thee wind, but rather the fact that forecast promises fickle headers from the English Channel as far as the exit from the Bay of Biscay. Head to wind from Trafalgar Square to Gibraltar! As expected, the cold front gave way to isolated squalls and weakening varying both in strength and direction. In the Channel, all of the necessary ingredients are there for a start to the race which is certainly going to be tactical, with a highly charged atmosphere. On the dockside in Canary Wharf, with a steady drizzle for a backdrop, the first hours of the race will be punctuated by a series of manœuvres. Unsteady almost non-existent winds, current, heavy shipping. Throw into that six trimarans driven by crews fired up and raring to go. Everything you need for the first miles to be full of surprises. The race is on. At 17h09, on the approach to the starting line, the battle was already raging to be among the first three trimarans to make it across the line in the 8-10 knot SSW wind, reaching on the starboard tack. They’re off! Behind Groupama 2, Banque Poulaire IV, with Géant already seeming to take advantage of her position windward of the fleet. Next, in the order of appearance, Gitana 11 (Fred Le Peutrec), Sopra Group (Antoine Koch) and Gitana 12 (Thierry Duprey). A fine line-up, adding spice to life on the Thames ! Sport and maritime adventure rolled into one. The trimarans off Tower Bridge – Aerial shot - Parade and prologue first Before plunging into the race and making for the open sea, the six brightly coloured trimarans put on a show for London spectators. Imagine these gracious seabirds on parade in the heart of London. Imagine what it’s like seeing them sail along the banks, docks and smart buildings of the English capital city rounding a buoy at the foot of London Bridge. It may be raining in London, but even the sun managed to get a look in, just peeking through as the proud racing fleet appeared at the legendary and historic site. Unexpected and exotic images which will long remain in the minds of those lucky enough to have witnessed the scene. Not to mention the prologue which was run further downstream. Just off Cross Ness, as the crews hoisted the main sail and gennaker, conditions were perfect for a short warm-up. For the sheer fun of it. Nice calm river - a light 5 knot SE breeze and most of all, hardly any shipping. Banque Populaire IV and her crew led by Pascal Bidégorry did en excellent job. In the lead throughout, although there were no points up for grabs here. Just for fun ! Shore crew members commented after that "even if this has nothing to do with the final outcome, it does wonders for the feel good factor". Out to sea, the fleet can get down to racing. No one would dare venture an opinion yet as to who might be first to finish the "Londres-Alpes Maritimes". A promise is a promise though and the race has already got of to a great start from England. Au revoir et merci à Londres. Related Items:
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