Countdown to the Panerai Transat Classique has started
by Panerai Transat Classique 2015 10 Dec 2014 16:31 GMT
7 January 2015
Tension and excitement are rising for the competitors of the Panerai Transat Classique 2015 as they prepare for the 7 January start from Lanzarote, destination Fort-de-France. Marina Lanzarote has yet to berth the entire fleet, and two additional classic sailers will be rallying the Canarian haven in the coming days.
Vagabundo II and Gweneven have almost completed their run to the Canaries which has given them ample time to test their gear and allow their crews to bond. The last of the yachts, including the sizeable schooners Altair and Adventuress, are on their way and should be alongside by the end of the month, just in time for an intense week of tweaking and victualling.
Many of the sailors taking part in this event—much-anticipated by fans of classic yacht racing—met up on the Yacht Club de France stand at this year's Paris Boat Show which runs until 14 December. They enjoyed a pleasant cocktail party hosted by the Atlantic Yacht Club and took the opportunity to discuss their preparations and ambitions. And the evening was all the more special thanks to the presence of Melanie Symes and Gaétan Paderna, of Marina Lanzarote and Martinique Tourist Board respectively, who gave a foretaste of the welcome the crews can expect to receive in Lanzarote.
From start to finish, everything technically or humanly possible will be done to ensure the competing crews get the support they need and, icing on the cake, numerous receptions will be held in some of the most exquisite sites on the island. Such convivial, sharing moments will give the crews the chance to strike up real friendships founded on mutual respect and solidarity. These values, dear to the yachting fraternity, will take on a new dimension for those involved.
After spending a cosy Christmas with their nearest and dearest, the crews will be seeing in the New Year Lanzarote style and enjoying a series of festive events in the week leading up to the firing of the starting gun on 7 January at 3 p.m. local time.
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