Retour à La Base : how to follow the race
Tomorrow (30th of November) will see the commencement of the Retour à La Base, a challenging solo-transatlantic race from Martinique to Lorient, today the team have made their final adjustments and preparations along side their skipper Clarisse Crémer who is ready to start this key race in her journey towards Vendée Globe qualification.
Amidst the bustling anticipation, the skipper of L'Occitane en Provence sailing team, Clarisse Crémer, shared her thoughts on the upcoming solo race. "The last time I started a solo race was for Vendée Globe 2020! The pressure is rising” The skipper candidly revealed a mix of emotions, admitting, "Not to hide anything, I'm a little stressed: the fear of not knowing how to do it anymore, the fear of not being up to it, and to top it all off, I got a little illness forty-eight hours ago. But there's also a lot of excitement about the idea of renewing with solo sailing and embracing this challenge on this beautiful boat!!"
Highlighting the team's relentless efforts, Clarisse acknowledged, "The crew have worked so hard to fix all the little issues on the boat we had after the TJV. They had barely 10 days to get through the jobs list and get the boat ready again and I’m hugely grateful to them for their work. I have been doing everything I can to recover relax and at the same time enjoying my little girl and now I am ready!"
How to Follow Retour à La Base Yacht Race
The Retour à La Base, the only solo-transatlantic race on the 2023 calendar, commences this Thursday. More than 30 solo sailors will navigate their IMOCA 60s from Martinique to Lorient, France, in a challenging test of skill and endurance.
To track the boat follow along at the Retour à La Base website here.
To watch the live broadcast of the start at the Retour à La Base head to their website/retouralabase.com/fr from 16:30 to 17:30 (French time).
The Retour à La Base serves as a crucial opportunity for sailors to accumulate qualifying miles essential for the prestigious 2024 Vendée Globe. With limited spots available, skippers are fervently vying to secure their positions in the highly sought-after line-up for the 'Everest of the Seas.'
