The Artemis Transat

Having relaunched his Veolia Environnement IMOCA 60 two days ago, a busy Roland Jourdain has been following closely the last developments of The Artemis Transat. He gives us his views on this edition.

“If one compares to a typical weather situation on the North Atlantic, this edition of The Artenis Transat has been rather quiet. There have not been any serious lows traveling from Newfoundland to Europe, no disturbances following one another – only low pressures which remained stuck between Canada and Greenland. In theory, when there are two highs and a weak barometric gradient, it doesn’t last very long, unlike what just happened. The fact that the start was given three weeks earlier than usual should, moreover, have made for a windier and tougher race! The other major difference was the presence of the ice gate, located at 40º North, which has slightly modified the course. Then again, with the icebergs traveling far South, I’m not sure the trajectories would have been very different without the gate.

Despite the mild weather and lengthier course (the ice gate added 210 miles), the winner may well better Mike Golding’s reference time, which speaks volumes about the level of performance reached by the latest generation IMOCA boats. They had a nice downwind passage with strong breeze after the Fastnet, and the skippers had a nice exit of the English Channel: the weather on the first days has allowed for good mileage on the direct route, instead of having to beat upwind. And what’s obvious is that the boats easily reach 14 to 15 knots when the skippers ease the sheets a bit (Ed Note – when they can move from close-hauled towards a beamier wind angle).

The gaps between the leaders aboard newer boats and the following pack is understandable, even if boats like Cervin EnR are still very fast downwind – Yannick barely had time to put her through her paces before the start, but he gradually was faster and faster. The newer boats are quicker but require more work on deck, they are at ease in medium airs, sure, but look who’s on board too: Gitana Eighty might be fast, but the Peyron factor is also clearly decisive. Armel played it nicely too, qualifying for the Vendée Globe whilst being competitive. To make a good result in this race with shifting and light conditions, you had to be reactive, tactically in the game and quick to react. So yes, the gear has evolved, but the potential is of no use if the guy trimming the sails, handling the tiller and plotting his route isn’t on top of his game…

Roland Jourdain