A new qualifying event for the formidable Vendée Globe and the first time that a single-handed transatlantic race is organised from Lanzarote
This year saw the first edition of a transatlantic race to be organised from Lanzarote. RCN Arrecife and Calero Marinas came together to create the Calero Marinas Solo Transat, a qualifying event for IMOCA 60s seeking to secure one of the few remaining places for the Vendée Globe.
Approved by the Vendée Globe organisers, the race set off outside Arrecife on the 12 April for a 2880nm westward challenge towards Newport, Rhode Island.
Three boats joined the race: No Way Back (ND) a new generation foiler, skippered by Pieter Heerema; 23-year old Alan Roura aboard Superbigou (CH) and sailing journalist Sébastien Destremau (FR) in faceOcean; a crowd-funded campaign that seeks to engage the public in offshore racing. Both Superbigou and faceOcean are proven vessels that have already completed the Vendée circuit.
Just before they left Lanzarote, the teams were joined by Alex Thomson and the unmistakeable Hugo Boss, stopping in to Puerto Calero for the opportunity to do some boat testing and carry out repairs. Putting the theory to the test, they were thrilled to be able see the boat perform at 29 knots in just 20 knots of wind with flat seas outside the marina.
Staff in Marina Lanzarote shipyard enjoyed the chance to hoist three of the IMOCAs during their stay on the island with Alex Thomson Racing manager commenting:
“We haven’t visited any other location where in only two hours we can move from the dock and be ready to start work. The lift’s ample dimensions save us from having to remove the deck spreaders and mast, and the keel pit enables everyone to work at a safe height without the need for a complicated support set-up. It’s really a perfect solution and saves us two entire days of preparation.”
All boats had to contend with atypically varied and challenging conditions creating a much longer crossing than expected. Between the Trades sitting just out of reach forcing Alan Roura to veer a lot further south than hoped and a continual stream of low pressure systems pummelling the rhumb line routers, it was far from an easy ride.
Despite a particularly testing race, each participant was finally successful in completing their qualifying passage. Managing Director for Calero Marinas, José Juan Calero spoke on behalf of the Race Organisation: “We are thrilled to have been able to play a part in assisting these inspiring sailors with achieving their Vendée Globe qualification. The Calero Marinas Solo Transat has been a fascinating event to organise and we are very grateful to the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife for their expertise here in Lanzarote and to Sail Newport and Newport Shipyard for their generous and professional support receiving the fleet in Rhode Island.”
Recognised as the most formidable single-handed sailing contest in the world, the Vendée Globe starts from Sables D’Olonne, France on the 6th November.
Calero Marinas also thanks ANAVRE, I.P.F.P. Marítima Pesquera de Canarias and Yellow Brick Tracking for their assistance during the race preparation.