What an incredible photo! At 7 pm, IDEC sport, MACIF, ACUTAL and SOBEDO crossed the starting line of THE BRIDGE by taking over Queen Mary 2 on starboard. The light breeze did not ruin the breath-taking show, while an A380 - whose certain pieces were built in Saint-Nazaire - joined the party flying over the steel giant and four multihulls. "The battle of the giants and flying over an Airbus, we dreamt about it ... and it came true today", declared the not impassive, Damien Griming who is the creator and the organizer of THE BRIDGE.
Incredible! This word summarises the postcard of the departure of the Transatlantic race of the Centenary THE BRIDGE. When the canon shot will resonate, 100 years after the 1917 American landing, the majestic bridge of Saint-Nazaire was lit up by a firework display. At this precise moment, the prestigious ocean liner made its foghorn to greet Saint-Nazaire, and give the QM2 a triumphant welcome on Saturday. Overflown at very low height by an Airbus A380, the Cunard liner lives under its bow "4 Fantasies". Escorted by an military armada, boats of the company of Rescue at sea, sailor ships and pilot boat, the fleet of THE BRIDGE sailed off, greeted along the coast by the clamours and cheered by hundreds of thousands of spectators, with their wide open eyes, a heavy heart and breathless. Shortly after 20 hours, under a beautiful blue sky, the silhouette of Queen Mary 2 and four multihulls disappeared on the horizon. Let's go to New York! From one bridge to another magic and emotions guaranteed.
The race kicked off for the four sailors - SOBEDO UTLIM ' (Thomas Coville), MACIF (François Gabart), IDEC sport (Francis Joyon) and ACTUAL (Yves Le Blévec) - and the famous ocean liner. After the basketball world cup 3x3 in Nantes, and the first jazz tributes and a hundred years of American music, sport is taking stage with an extraordinary race. A transatlantic race with a rare intensity in the wake of the first American soldiers who landed in June1917, and contributed to restore peace and World War I. History!
Words said by the sailors at the start in Saint Nazaire
Yves Le Blévec (Actual) : « We lived and shared magical sharing moments with THE BRIDGE, in Nantes, as well as in Saint-Nazaire. I took a lot of pleasure, in particular upon the arrival of Queen Mary 2. But now, it's time to go. From the moment we cast off, in our head, we think only the race. We have the schedule, we do not ask ourselves many questions. We do what we know how to make, and we move forward. »
Alex Pella (IDEC SPORT) : « The operation to leave the harbour and join the departure is a little bit delicate. But it is a very moving operation to be shared with the public. There will not be too muuch wind, but we are very happy to leave, to be soon in contact with the other boats. Especially that it has been two years since we navigate within the framework of a record, the Trophy Jules Verne, alone in our corner. There will be options there, for sure, but at the beginning we shall have the opportunity to confront each other.»
Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim’) : « There is a warm wind which is going to pickup during the period of wait, but the more that is going to go, the more that is going to slacken. Also, Tomorrow, the wind will be rather low, then that is going to accelerate, with normally a Northern route for us. We shall see the choice of others. Since we arrive into Nantes, the event is very strong.We did many things, we saw a lot of people and there is Queen Mary 2 which arrived yesterday. It is the symbol of THE BRIDGE. But for us, to go into locks, it allows us finally to go into the sports part. And make this first confrontation in Ultimate through the Atlantic Ocean with a crew, it is what we wait all. The part bound to our passion can finally begin. I look forward to being at the time of the blow of standard and going into the heart of the matter. The dangers are always there on a departure in Ultimate, and it will be necessary to be all eyes from the outset. We shall be a little lighter by 9 pm this evening.»
François Gabart (Macif) : « The departure is going to be spectacular, I have no doubt. Queen Mary 2 is going to go out of the Joubert Lock and position herself on the starting line which is just in front of Saint-Nazaire. On our side, we are going to progress in the sail, we are going to see to it to leave all together, at 7 pm, to make a beautiful photo with an air surprise, because a "small" plane is going to overfly us at the same time. For us, it will be a question especially of remaining well concentrated, these phases of departure are not obvious. The Gascogne golf will not be very strong, with a light weather. It will be necessary to slide into the bubbles without wind. Queen Mary 2 should take over us quite quickly as there will be light wind. But from Tuesday, we should get more gradient wind. »