Défi Azimut: "Miles Validated"
For the 13th edition of the Défi Azimut, Denis Van Weynbergh and his co-skipper Erwann Le Mené, set sail among a stellar line-up of IMOCAs in Lorient, Brittany.
The multi-format event provided the Franco-Belgian duo with the chance to gain a wealth of experience and encounters!
On Thursday 21 September at 10:30 UTC, Denis Van Weynbergh and co-skipper Erwann Le Mené set sail among a fleet of 33 IMOCAs down the 610-mile course that stretches around the Défi Azimut’s 48H racetrack. After a determined start, the IMOCA D’Ieteren Group powered westbound for Waypoint 1 some 100 miles after the starting line. It was a lively first night with invigorating conditions in the Bay of Biscay that involved a 5-metre sea swell and winds reaching up to 30 knots. These breezy conditions were worthy of a Transat Jacques Vabre start! At Waypoint 2, the fleet split away in different directions, some opting for the east to drop down to Waypoint 3, whilst others, like our two skipper-entrepreneurs, favoured a southerly option.
Denis and Erwann then completed the third leg overnight on Friday through into Saturday, followed by a long climb back up to the north and the port of Lorient La Base where a windless zone prompted a spell of extra time. On Sunday 24 September at 00:05 UTC, the IMOCA D’Ieteren Group crossed the finish line after 2 days, 13 hours and 35 minutes of racing.
The Atlantic course gave the duo the chance to really validate their sail configurations and get their way aboard thanks to a series of alternating points of sail, some very varied wind conditions and sea states. “It was a fantastic race. We learned so much. It was an opportunity for us to test out a few different trims too,” admitted Denis. It is safe to say that the Défi Azimut was an excellent final clash in race format prior to the Transat Jacques Vabre
Finally, Sunday’s speed runs were the perfect opportunity for Denis to thank the members of his team for all their efforts: “It was great for all the team to see the other Teams and the way they operate and it’s encouraging to see that a job well done really pays off.”
It’s worth noting that all the members of Denis’ team are volunteers and put both their energy and their skills to good use in this extraordinary project year-round. The smiles on everyone's faces proved that the tireless commitment was well worth it!
The coming weeks will be devoted to physical fitness training and on-the-water sessions to prepare as best they can for the next event on the programme: the Transat Jacques Vabre, which is due to set sail from Le Havre in north-east France on Sunday 29 October. This will be the last double-handed race before Denis launches into a series of singlehanded races to qualify for the Vendée Globe 2024.
It promises to be a very busy season of competition…