Two more Ocean Fifty 15-meter trimarans are reported to have capsized after starting the Transat Cafe L’Or transatlantic race.
The Ocean Fifty Lazare X Hellio capsized off La Hague on Saturday evening. Later at 00:25 UTC Sunday, Koesio was reported to have capsized north of Guernsey.
Then Sunday morning at 04:05 UTC, Inter Invest capsized off the tip of Brittany.
All crew have been rescued and reported unharmed.
The trimarans have been secured and towing operations are underway.
Weather conditions in the area were rough, with steady winds of 22 to 25 knots, gusts up to 30 knots, and 3-meter waves.
Seven other Ocean Fifty are continuing. The leader is Wewise of Pierre Quiroga and Gaston Morvan.
More starts are scheduled for Sunday afternoon for the double-handed transatlantic race which goes from Le Havre on the Channel Coast of France, to Fort-de-France (Martinique).
Because of an incoming frontal system the deterioration in weather conditions forecast at the entrance to the Bay of Biscay in the coming days, race management has decided to alter the Class40 course. The 42 boats in the fleet will stop in La Coruña (Spain) to seek shelter.
A second start will be then given for this class as soon as conditions permit.
The leg rankings are calculated in real time. The overall ranking of the Transat CAFE L’OR Le Havre Normandie will be calculated based on the combined times of the two legs, following the Jury’s decisions.
The courses for the ULTIM and IMOCA boats remain unchanged.
Find the interview with Yann Chateau, Deputy Race Director, on the media server HERE.
A total of 74 boats with 148 skippers in four classes are taking part in the race with the ULTIM start at 2 pm, the IMOCA at 2.20 pm and the
CLASS40 at 2.40 pm.
