Plymouth bound

1000 Milles Brittany Ferries Class 40 race sets sail from St Malo

The second edition of the Class 40s 1000 Milles Brittany Ferries began this morning off Saint-Malo. At 1100 the fleet of 17 boats set sail doublehanded on the course that will take them first to Plymouth, then Santander before finishing in Roscoff. It was Bruno Jourdren and Groupe Bel Open 60 skipper Kito de Pavant on th Rogers designed Lord Jiminy who got the best start. The first arrivals in Plymouth, where they will make a six hour pitstop are expected on Sunday night/Monday morning.

Weather conditions were ideal for the start with a light breeze from the northwest and a clear sky. En route to Plymouth the boats have to pass the Minquiers to starboard. They then also leave Jersey and Guernsey to starboard, before they are free to cross the Channel to Plymouth.

"The route is complex with strong tides that should enable competitors to play the options," explained Race Director Patrick Celton.