On one side, the setting sun sets the ramparts of Saint-Malo ablaze.
On the other side, the waves crashing on the Sillon beach.
At the very moment when the skippers are officially presented to the public, the elements already seem to surround them like a harbinger of things to come.
But before heading off to cross swords on the Atlantic, it's time to get a good dose of energy with a large crowd that came to cheer them on.
The two vintage classes kicked things off, followed by the Class40s. On stage, each sailor was accompanied by a child clutching an origami: a small paper boat carrying a dream, entrusted to the skipper to sail off into the open sea. No doubt some will have written down their desire to take part in the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe in a few years. After all, as Sasha Laniece (Alderan) so aptly reminded everyone: "Believe in yourself and believe in your dreams . "
Judging by the applause, it was difficult to separate the competitors, but the sailors from Saint-Malo in the Ocean 50 class seemed to have a clear advantage. These sailors, in fact, found it hard to leave the stage and couldn't resist the urge to immortalize the moment with a selfie with the crowd.
When it comes to the IMOCAs, there is no longer any doubt, Violette Dorange wins hands down the prize for fervor, she who, just four years ago, was walking this same stage in search of partners and today proudly sails under the colors of Initiatives Cœur.
Then, an energized Alexia Barrier burst onto the stage to represent the ULTIM class, escorted by the eight other sailors. The mascot Tymal had just made a run for it with the trophy, but that was without counting on the big boss, Charles Caudrelier, who caught up with it to reclaim what was rightfully his… for just a few more days! The time for the competition to resume had arrived, and even though the skipper of the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild fully intends to keep his title: “Anything is possible on the Route du Rhum . ”
