Field almost complete

28 boats preparing to set off this weekend in the Transat Quebec-St Malo race

Six days out from the start of the seventh Québec-Saint Malo fully crewed west to east transatlantic race, only one boat is left to arrive of the 28 registered entries. French sailor Hervé Cléris is expected to dock tomorrow aboard his 50ft trimaran. Then the field will be complete: 18 Class 40 boats, six 50 ft trimarans and four additional monohulls shall set sail on Sunday morning 20 July for the 3,000 miles long race towards the Old Continent.

Organised for the first time back in 1984 to commemorate the discovery of Québec by French explorer Jacques Cartier, this Transat has welcomed through the years all kinds of amazing race boats, from the maxi catamarans Jet Services V or Royale, the winners in 1988 and 1984 respectively, to the spectacular ORMA 60 trimarans. But the tide has turned and the time is no longer favourable for expensive, yet fragile multihulls.

Class 40s are the latest trend among French and international sailors and the class has attracted a whole new generation of sailors coming from as varied backgrounds as Olympic sailing, the Figaro, maxi multihulls and Minis.

With Québec's 400th anniversary celebrations in full swing, the port of Québec has become the central focus for all visitors to the city. All kind of activities are scheduled to take place throughout this week while at the same time every boat is being carefully inspected by the Race Committee's scrutineers.

The City of Québec shall host a welcoming party for the skippers and crews this Friday. There will then be a brief period for final checks and preparations before the fleet takes the gun on Sunday at 11.00.