The director of Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe wanted to clarify certain points of regulations after the interview of Gilles Buekenhout, Monday on our site. If he understands the disappointment of the Belgian, Jacques Caraës recalled that it was not case by case and believes that there was a misunderstanding of the rules while hoping to discuss with the skipper of Jess at the handing price.
In an interview published Monday morning on our site, Gilles Buekenhout, amateur skipper of the trimaran Jess let talk about his frustration of not having been at the end. The Belgian, engaged in MultiRhum and disqualified for a second stop, felt slightly wrong after discovering a different rule for a boat engaged in Multi50. The director of the race, Jacques Caraës wanted to restore some truths.
Do you understand the frustration of Gilles Buekenhout?
Completely. I understand but the rule is the same for everyone. From the moment the race instructions are given at the start, we know the rules, we know how it goes. We have class rules that we respect. Indeed, the Multi50 class is the only one that had a derogation at the stopover level. When he says he did not know it, it's wrong. This is part of an endorsement that all riders have had. This is the only series that has this class rule. These rules are voted in general assembly and we can not go against.
The rest of the boats thus answered the same rules?
In the categories Rum, Ultimate, Mono and Multi Rum, we make the same rules. The Imocas were housed in the same boat too. The only rule that derogated is at the level of the Multi50 but because they are imposed on us. The Class40s did not benefit. The one who stopped twice outside the famous 150-mile round was disqualified and this was the case for some.
As race director, you are responsible for the safety of the sailors. Have you dreaded the three successive depressions?
It's my very priority! Of course we knew that these passages were difficult. After there were dodges. Either we will seek the performance and we go where there is the most sea and where there is the most wind, or we dodge. It's a freedom of choice. When I did the briefing, we showed that there were different ways to attack this first depression. After there were two others but it is the game of offshore racing. Today we have the advantage of having relatively accurate weather files that we did not have a few years ago. We know what will wait for us, it's a big advantage.
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I never sent people to the fire. There was a briefing the day before the departure where I asked the question three times if there were any particular remarks before the departure. I had no reaction. Indeed, there was an active depression system. But there were escape possibilities so it's not sending people to the fire. It is an offshore race that takes place every four years and where we know that there are fronts and depressions to pass. By preventing all races from being done as soon as there is bad weather or difficult conditions, we will never leave again.
Was it ideal to stay safe in Brest?
After that, it's strategic. What is unfortunate for him is that he is an experienced competitor who has already made several Route du Rhum. He had bet a lot on this edition. I know he was frustrated. He needed help the second time to continue, unfortunately the rules are not modifiable. He actually called me to give him another chance but I can not apply a settlement for one and not for the other.
Will you call him or meet him as he wishes?
I hope so. There is no ambiguity. I will be very happy to talk to him again. I will explain again that we can not adapt a text on a case-by-case basis. I knew very well that he was frustrated with his race because it is a very important personal investment. I understand very well his deep disappointment.
Have you had other similar cases?
Yes, this is the case for many competitors. I had another case in Imoca with a boat that quickly left Cascais (Portugal) after repairing. No sooner had he gone out than he realized he had a new technical problem. He returned to Cascai, in the same port, he was disqualified too. The rule is the same for all, it is not nominative.
I have another competitor who will probably arrive out of time limit. The four-day line closure was postponed until December 7th. He should cross it on the 8th. He asked me to reopen it one more day. I can not. Because others stopped knowing that they could not arrive on time. It sounds hard but if I open it now, I'm in offense. I can not do case by case, otherwise there is no settlement.
All penalties are planned before departure?
Of course, they are marked black on white on the racing instructions.
This was also the case for Alex Thompson's?
Of course. We have a penalty table that is given to all before the start. When you put your engine for any reason, it goes from 24 hours to disqualification. The jury, which is an international jury with Anglo-Saxon judges in passing, decided to give the minimum of this table which is 24 hours. If it had been 12 o'clock we would have applied 12 hours. Alex was obviously disappointed because he lost his first place. But he managed to keep his place on the podium. He reacted in great sports. "I made a mistake, there is a penalty table. I assume. "