Classic Transat begins

The crew of the largest vessel – Xarifa

Eight boats left the island of Lanzarote in the Canaries today racing to St Kitts in the Panerai Transat Classic. In light winds the boats started on a windward leg before turning a mark off the marina at Arrecife. Spinnakers billowed and the fleet headed south with most skippers considering whether it would be better to continue heading south to pick up the Trade winds or to head directly west – with the possibility of more fickle winds.

The boats racing under the auspices of the Atlantic Yacht Club, based in Douarnenez, range in size from the 1964 37ft 5in (11.4m) GRP Maas designed Aramis, to the 164ft (50m) three masted schooner Xarifa built in 1927 by Samuel White in Cowes to a design by JM Soper.

Monnet – frustration at late start

One boat, Lys a 55ft (16.7m) S&S one off design built by Sangermani in Italy in 1955 didn’t make the start line. Her skipper owner Frenchman Philippe Monnet arrived yesterday with the part for her damaged transmission but it turned out to be the wrong fit and the crew on Lys had a frustrating day in harbour trying to sort out the gears on the engine. Monnet a serious sailor and past holder of various world records including being the first to go round the world against the prevailing winds as well as resurrecting the Regates Royales in Cannes in 1978, has had the boat 20 years, restoring her bit by bit, and is taking three old friends, all in their 70s, with him. All are also looking forward to their first Transat… you could see their frustration as they witnessed the fleet leaving without them and there was a lot of Gallic shrugging going on. She eventually left at around 8pm.

For many competitors the race is the result of a lot of hard work, preparing their boat to be in the best condition to take whatever the Atlantic can throw at them. It is also a life-long dream for many, like Janette Danel, the only female Yachtmaster in the fleet,

Janette Danel – long held dream comes true

who says sailing the Atlantic will be a long held dream come true. “I’m a breast cancer survivor,” said the mother of two, who lives in Malta, “and so every day is a bonus. My daughters are now grown up and I can get away sailing! Last year I sailed two-handed across the Pacific so this will be easier.”

Danel is sailing on Hilaria, a 1966 55ft (16.7m) S&S yawl built by Abeking & Rasmussen and owned by Merchant Navy skipper Philippe Thurneyssen, whose knee is in a brace after a recent

Philippe Thurneyssen: Knee brace

accident. “I might have to stay in my bunk if the weather is bad… I’ve done 19 or more Transatlantics in cargo ships but it will be great to sail across on the wind.

As the sun set on the first day the fleet’s positions were beginning to be less bunched, though at least five are heading down the eastern side of Fuerteventura.

Leading these is Stiren, a 1963 Olin Stevens 48ft 8in (14,85m) inboard yawl owned by Oren Nataf with the record-breaking French sailor Alex Pella calling the tactics. CS went sailing with them yesterday as they tried out the new headsail, main and spinnaker and even though it was Alex’s first time on board the sailing was slick and fast. So she might be one to watch.

Behind Stiren is Coch y Bondhu, a 1936 18ton 49ft 6in (15.1m) Gauntlet designed by Laurent Giles and Rodney Paul and built at Berthon in Lymington, restored to concours condition by her timber merchant owner Paolo Zangheri.

Jean Jacques Ollu and Olivier Percoux, commodore and president of the Atlantic YC respectively

Following them is the 1936 72ft 8in (22.2m) Fife ketch Eilean belonging to the sponsors Panerai with a new skipper, Stefano Valente who was the mate for eight years under the British skipper Andy Cully, who left the boat following a change of management at the company last year. Eilean was followed by the 1968 Franz Maas 37ft (11.3m) Bryell and the 1973 S&S designed Sangermani-built one tonner Glenn Maël. Xarifa is behind them with Aramis at the rear of the fleet.