Mini transat off again
- Thread starter dgadee
- Start date
Birdseye
Well-known member
Couple of Germans, couple Italians, couple Brits but the huge majority are French. I wonder why they are so keen on ocean racing. Why them and not us?
deeb
Member
Its great to see the mini Classe prospering with such numbers, right now there are lots ashore in Lorient -competitive looking boats- that couldn't get an entry into the Transat. See likewise the number of Classe 40s and Imocas in build.
I have a theory that this isn't just down to the pioneeers of French shorthanded offshore - Moitessier Tabarly Arthaud and so on, but is a matter of geography. If you are south coast Uk based and want to hit wide open spaces solo you have 3 or 4 days of good hard graft ahead of you to get into space in which you can relax (by which I mean sleep). The channel, western approaches and Ushant areas are not easy sailing for soloists (or anyone, for that matter). If you are Lorient based it's much easier - slip your mooring, head west and you're good. The weather is kinder also - longer seasons result.
There is also the question of funding and a very different corporate culture.
I have a theory that this isn't just down to the pioneeers of French shorthanded offshore - Moitessier Tabarly Arthaud and so on, but is a matter of geography. If you are south coast Uk based and want to hit wide open spaces solo you have 3 or 4 days of good hard graft ahead of you to get into space in which you can relax (by which I mean sleep). The channel, western approaches and Ushant areas are not easy sailing for soloists (or anyone, for that matter). If you are Lorient based it's much easier - slip your mooring, head west and you're good. The weather is kinder also - longer seasons result.
There is also the question of funding and a very different corporate culture.
dgadee
Well-known member
Sponsorship.
Slowtack
Well-known member
Sports like sailing and skiing are not seen as elitist in France and more accessible to a greater percentage of the population at quite an early age..................maybe that is also a factor.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
Well the problem of 90 days stay in the EU has to be sorted for a start. So presumably one has to apply for French residency.( if that is what one does) Does that then make them "French" Poor souls
Stemar
Well-known member
The 90 day stay is only a matter of paperwork and proof of income. Anyone who's planning a transat will need plenty of both, sponsorship or not.
dgadee
Well-known member
Just read this advice on sponsorship - Insider tips for pitching potential sponsors - and I think I'll be ready for the next one.
Lightwave395
Well-known member
I think if you look at the Brits doing this stuff seriously most of them emigrate to France and join one of the French solo racing 'universities'. Getting sponsirship for them is prossibly a bigger challenge than the sailing
dgadee
Well-known member
Le Roy won by being the furthest south. I presume he will have sailed the longest course?
capnsensible
Well-known member
Coz they start young, don't have snobby about boats and are really good at it.
dgadee
Well-known member
No red trousers? No burning desire to meet Princess Anne? They are weird.
DownWest
Well-known member
The Bretons wear red trousers, usually shorts, in the roughest of weather. As for young, our local vet's daughter did IOW to Cherbourg in an Oppi at 14yrs old, now in the SH offshore races.
