Once the starts have been given, the sailors will set off on the Atlantic, following in the historic wake of the coffee traders. They will have to deal with the unpredictable strong winds of the winter depressions of the North Atlantic before finding the trade winds.
Even with slightly shorter courses the TRANSAT CAFÉ L’OR remains the longest and most demanding transatlantic race. The gaps between the boats in the same class are expected to be small, strategic choices will have to be significant and so a constant battle all the way through the classes is on the cards. With very distinct courses for each class there are four races on at the same time with four winning duos rewarded at the end.
The Ultims: 6,200 nautical miles (between 10 and 14 days)
The Ultims will start with a first, fairly long phase taking them to the "Ascension" waypoint in the southern hemisphere, which they will have to leave to starboard side. Then, they will go up along the Brazilian coast to reach Martinique. The two passages of the Doldrums can decisive.
The Ocean Fifty: 4,600 nautical miles (between 10 and 14 days)
The Ocean Fifty will go down to Cape Verde, leave the island of Sal on the starboard side, before going to find the trade winds, heading for the West Indies. The passage through the islands promises to be quite testing as there are always corridors of wind and calms.
The IMOCAs: 4,350 nautical miles (between 10 and 14 days)
The IMOCAs will be straight into battle with a fast and tight descent to the Canaries. After leaving the archipelago on the starboard side, the strategic choices is always between the northern option to get closer to the depressions or the southern option towards the trade winds.
The Class40s: 3,750 nautical miles (between 12 and 16 days)
The Class40s will benefit from a more direct westerly course than the other classes, which will allow for a more open game, provided they find the right passage through the Azores high, after leaving the archipelago on the starboard side.
The first winning duos are expected around November 5.
The finish line in Fort-de-France in Martinique will close on November 20.