While 2021 was played largely in doubles, 2022 will be done alone.

Sunday, at 2:00 p.m., outside the harbor of Brest, 24 skippers will set off for the 3rd edition of the Guyader Bermuda 1000 Race, a triangular course via the Fastnet (Ireland) of 1,200 nautical miles (2,222 km).

The race marks the launch of the Imoca circuit, these 18-meter monohulls exclusive to the Vendée Globe.

“We are not going to Bermuda!” Launched, amused, during a press conference, the director of the race, Jacques Caraës.

"It's a warm-up race, with boats recently relaunched. It's a first trial gallop, there are also a lot of rookies".

The rookies, or beginners, are seven in number on this edition, which records a participation record with a raised plate of eight different nationalities.

“There were six of us four years ago for the first edition. The power of the class is undeniable, the Vendée Globe was a huge hit. It's a virtuous circle. good, but in Imoca, we had a walk", rejoiced the organizer of the race, Gwen Chapalain.

Qualifier for the Route du Rhum

On the starting line, no new boat - the first are expected this summer - but sailboats which have distinguished themselves for the most part during the Vendée Globe 2020/2021 and which return after getting back in shape, either with their appointed sailor, be in new hands.

French navigator Charlie Dalin aboard the Imoca class "Apiva" during a training trip on September 24, 2021 in Concarneau Fred TANNEAU AFP / Archives

Charlie Dalin (Apivia) lines up on the monohull with which he finished second in the last Vendée Globe, awaiting his new boat.

Ditto for Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut) and Jérémie Beyou (Charal).

"It's a great format, we're in a 100% solitary year. It's really not going to be easy, we'll have to do a lot of manoeuvres, it's quite energy-intensive. It'll allow us to get back on our feet alone", underlined Beyou, who has the Route du Rhum in his sights.

The Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race is a qualifier for the Route du Rhum, a quadrennial single-handed transatlantic race whose start will be given on November 6 in Saint-Malo and for which it is mandatory to rack up a certain number of nautical miles upstream, single-handed and only on the boat that will race.

"Little chick"

For his part, the Swiss Alan Roura (Hublot) will compete in his first race with his new boat, the impressive former sailboat of the Briton Alex Thomson.

Just like Damien Seguin (Apicil), who will be racing for the first time with the boat on which Yannick Bestaven (Master cock) won the Vendée Globe 2020/2021 (in 80 days and 3 hours).

French sailor Jérémie Beyou aboard "Charal" during the Vendée Globe, February 6, 2021 off Les Sables-d'Olonne LOIC VENANCE AFP / Archives

"It's not revolutionary, but it's still very different from what I had before. You have to find other automatic mechanisms. You have to grasp new sensations and continue to learn about the boat in general", noted Seguin, seventh in the last Vendée Globe and the first disabled sailor to complete the world tour.

For Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com), it will be a first, period.

"I am the little chick of this race! For the moment, I have five days of navigation, and I have not yet sailed alone", slipped the sailor, who made himself known by traveling the seas of the globe for five years in the company of a red hen and who is discovering competitive sailing.

The winner is expected Thursday, May 12.

© 2022 AFP