Competition hots up for Bermuda-Lorient challenge
by Robin Clegg 24 Apr 2023 12:39 BST
7 May 2023
Bermuda-Lorient challenge © Phil Maybury
A field of four will be in contention to set a new crossing time between Bermuda and Lorient in the fourth edition of the Pure Ocean Challenge, setting off from the western Atlantic island on 7th May.
Two 42-foot multihulls and a Volvo Open 70 will start alongside four-times Transat Jacques Vabre winner Jean-Pierre Dick, in his JP54 monohull The Kid- 'Notre Méditerranée - Ville de Nice'.
The annual event is the brainchild of the Pure Ocean Foundation, which highlights the urgent need for ocean conservation through a range of initiatives that includes funding innovative, global, scientific research projects. Entrants are also encouraged to collect scientific data, during the 2900nm crossing, to help increase understanding of the health of our seas.
Professional sailor Jacques Valente, who has competed in the Route de Rhum and Mini Transat, will be racing in the 42-foot epoxy wood multihull Be Creative, designed by Dick Newick in 1982, with a crew of four. Whilst unsure of beating the 40-year-old record, he's using the challenge as a way to deliver the boat back to Europe and to showcase the work of Pure Ocean.
Jacques Valent said: "If we don't take action to save our oceans it's going to be too late and Pure Ocean is trying to do something about it which I fully support. I estimate that it's going to take us about 14 or 15 days to get to Lorient. We'll try and stay as far south as possible and hope for high pressure and good conditions."
Organised by the Pure Ocean Foundation, Absolute Dreamer and Advanced Tracking, the competitors will try and beat a record crossing time that has stood for 40 years.
Pure Ocean ambassador Jean-Pierre Dick will also be looking to settle a score against the TS42 multihull 'Banzai', skippered by Vincent Willemart who has a record of one win and one loss in his previous battles against the JP54.
Jean-Pierre Dick said: "It is a wonderful journey that allows us to observe incredible natural phenomena such as icebergs, the gulf stream currents, large ocean depressions and anticyclones. Moreover, the timing is perfect. We will enjoy the beautiful, long spring days.
"On the other hand, the weather can hold surprises for us. The winds are still very strong with deep depressions moving eastwards. Last year we were surprised by very challenging sea conditions and were forced to retire with engine problems. We are hoping for a better outcome this year."
The crossing time of 12 days 23 hours et 16 minutes was set in 1983 by Euge`ne Riguidel and Jean-Franc¸ois le Menec, in the catamaran William-Saurin. The fastest time recorded for a monohull is just 12 minutes slower and was set by Jean-Claude Parisis and Olivier de Rosny aboard Fernande in 1979.
Whilst race entry is free, participants are being encouraged to make a 1000€, or more, donation to Pure Ocean. Race fans will be able to track the boats' progress on the Pure Ocean website, where they will be able to make donations to help fund its future work.
Pure Ocean raises funds to support state-of-the-art applied research projects to conserve marine biodiversity, protect and restore fragile marine ecosystems and increase knowledge of the ocean.