Final Rush offshore race postponed to Monday due to gale forecast

The Ocean Fifty Arkema 4 in the 3rd episode of the Pro Sailing Tour. © Vincent Olivaud / Arkema Sailing

A small but intense gale is expected to hit the Var coast and should sweep through the harbour in Toulon tomorrow, Sunday, from 2pm, with expected winds at over 30 knots.

Whilst conditions would be manageable offshore, they are not safe for an inshore departure close to the harbour in Toulon. The decision has therefore taken by the race management, in consultation with the crews and the organisers, to delay the start. The six Ocean Fifty trimarans are now set to start at 10:30 on Monday and head directly for Brest on the Final Rush, the concluding offshore race of the season.

Gilles Chiorri, Race Director: "We have been monitoring the weather situation at Race HQ for the past few days and seeing how it would have evolved for Sunday. The strong West-North-West flow in the Gulf of Lion and long the Var coast has made the situation very tricky for the start of the race. Given that the weather is expected to improve on Monday morning, the race management prefers to postpone the start to Monday morning to allow for conditions improve."

See the full classification here.