High Seas Push Back Transatlantic Sailboat Race Start

With a worsening forecast for difficult weather in the Atlantic and Bay of Biscay through Monday night into Tuesday and immediately thereafter, (squalls to 50kts) Transat Jacques Vabre directors have decided to postpone Monday’s scheduled start to a later date.

Manfred Ramspacher ( sporting director ) explained: 
"The event sport direction the entire organization [sic] has made the decision to postpone the start until a more favourable situation arrives, which could be Thursday.”



“Winds 30 to 50 knots which could endanger the skippers and their boats are forecast. We are well aware that classes such as IMOCA could start. But our main concern is the overall safety of the crews.” 



“Our decision is based on the forecast that we could get away from Le Havre  but with difficult conditions and some uncertainly at the ras Blanchard, at  Ushant, and some very difficult conditions at the start of the Bay of Biscay. 
Our first aim is to ensure we can get maximum number of boats finishing Itajai.”