Blockade lifted

Racing gets going finally at Spi-Ouest France

The good news came at 12.30 - after two long days of waiting and negotiating: the 30th Spi Ouest France-Bouygues Telecom regatta would finally be able to get underway in the Bay of Quiberon. The fishermen have agreed to lift their blockade and withdraw the cables that blocked the bay - general Relief for 3,000 sailors, the organisers and partners.

The siege ends

This morning, the Prefect of Morbihan, Laurent Cayrel, the Deputy Prefect Andre Horel, the Director of Maritime Affairs Jean-Luc Veille, Jean-Pierre Blavec, Chairman of the Societe Nautique de la Trinite (SNT) and two ministerial advisors met with the fishermen. Jean-Pierre Blavec outlined the situation: "Laurent Cayrel presented to the 20 fishermen present, the government's proposal. After a short consultation, the sailors have agreed to remove their blockage. It was a real relief on the premises of the SNT!".

This feeling was shares by all involved in the regatta, allowing it to finally start.
With the withdrawal of the cable cutting off the exit to the sea at 11.45, so the entire fleet headed for the race course at 1400, preceded by trawlers which opened the route.
And then there's the weather

While the fisherman's blockade was resolved there remained tough, wintry conditions out on the race course. On the Bay of Quiberon, conditions were tough with a northerly wind of 20 to 25 knots made gusting up to 35 knots. Some gusts came complete with hail as the temperature ashore hovered around 5degC under an overcast sky.

The first warning signal was at 1500 under a Y flag, requiring all competitors to don life jackets.

In these conditions a race start was not possible for classes IRC 3 and 4 which returned to the pontoons along with the Open 7.50s, while due to the strong wind, several other competitors returned to port with damage, some even before the starting signal had been given.

The first race of Spi got underway for IRC 1 at 1612 on a windward-leeward of 2.5 miles. IRC 2 set sail at 16:58.

"It was still great to get out even if we could not compete," said Antoine Bompard who's family crew the Grand Surprise Eric Bompard Cachemires. "For our Class A on the Rond was confined to compete under these circumstances, but this little tour at sea has allowed us to save a little in the tub and tomorrow, we will be ready."

Tomorrow, the first start is schedule for 1000.