48 hours before the start

In Le Havre, a howling wind sweeps across the Paul Vatine Dock. The day is punctuated with showers and people are shivering in their coats. However, it would take a lot to remove constant smile from the faces of Kito de Pavant and François Gabart. Less than two days from the start of the 9th Transat Jacques Vabre, the Groupe Bel duo quite simply wish to cast off, and play the ensuing game of chess in uncertain weather conditions, and to get out to sea, even though it is cold and the sea is very choppy.

Dear barometer, where will you take them?
At last the weather data is starting to give increasingly precise information on the first days of the race, even though, at this moment, nothing is very clear. “The centre of the low pressure area that is coming down over England, will pass over Le Havre this weekend”, explains François, his eyes glued to the computer screen. “By definition, there is little wind in the centre of a “low” and a lot on the periphery. Depending on the trajectory of this system, we may either have a little or a lot of wind at the start, so conditions are still uncertain. On the other hand, we will have a fair wind in the Channel, and the only thing that we are really sure of is that we must get to the tip of Brittany as quickly as possible. After that, things should open up.”

Kito takes over the mouse and gives us the situation for the next few days: “On Monday we will come up against the difficulty of a ridge, which is a calm transitional area, before moving onto another low, expected during the middle of the week. We are also paying particular attention to the Azores anticyclone which seems to be breaking up in the next few days. So in sum, from north to south, there are many possible routes to be taken and the main options should become apparent very quickly.”

And you the sailors, are you feeling any pressure?
“I’m not as experienced as Kito”, answers François, modestly, the youngest in the fleet at the age of 26. “I am going to cross the Atlantic for the third time and for the second time racing*. Firstly I am happy to take part in this transatlantic race at my age and in these conditions. I want to live up to the trust Kito has placed in me. And then, I’m a racer and I love being ahead of the others, so naturally some concentration is required, because it’s not an easy thing to do.”

For the skipper who is responsible for the project, the pressure is different: “After the two years of work since Groupe Bel was launched, our desire to win is stronger than ever, but these boats are complex. The weather situation is looking unclear and the Atlantic remains a difficult ocean to cross. We are aware of our strengths, but we are not the only ones in this situation, so even though I feel fairly relaxed, there is always some pressure.”

When I speak of his young recruit, Kito is clear: “François has racing in his blood. I don’t know any other sailor who, at the age of 20, is already French Optimist Champion, Moth Europe Champion and World Tornado Junior Champion! He is progressing with passion and maturity. For some time he has wanted to be on the starting line of this transatlantic race. He has found the means to do so and is getting enormous pleasure from it!”

* Third place on the Transat BPE on board the Figaro Espoir Région Bretagne in April 2009.

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