The Cherbourg team are making their way to Madeira this week to prepare for the start of the second stage of the Transquadra Transatlantic race. I spoke to Titi (Thierry Lacour) who is already down there in the sunshine; Loulou is due to follow later in the week. Bruno James and his crew Hugues will also be arriving to complete the team of two boats, 'Raging Bee' and 'McDo de Cherbourg'.
A pleasant getaway in a moderate NE trade wind seems likely, though at the moment the western end of the Azores high looks quite brisk. The trip should take about two weeks, arriving in Martinique on the 7th or so of February. It all sounds very nice, and Titi claims to be doing it 'pour le plaisir', but no doubt he, and everyone else, will be trying their hardest to get there first!
We wish our friends from Cherbourg 'bonne route, bonne mer' and look forward to the results!
The start is at 1100, and the race can be followed on the Transquadra site at http://www.transquadra.com/positions.php
Steve Fraser
Submitted on 20th January 2015