Quote:
Originally Posted by martini
According to the website, the main race starts at 1300 which I presume will be 1200 local (not forgetting we're back to GMT when we wake up!)
Bassin Vaubin lock entry/exits run from 9.30 ish til 1400 ish gmt although being a special occasion it might all be on demand instead.
|
We're back over now, and will put to sea fairly early tomorrow. Went on a quick walk down to the port a few mins ago, although pitch black, the usually sleepy port is a hive of activity. The "rade" is awash with lights - most of the yachts racing are moored out in the middle, the rest of them have got to get out of the bassin Vaubin tomorrow before the start.
Our Osprey is on a mooring right out amongst them, as we flew in this afternoon we saw it is sort of squeezed in amongst them,
but its very accessible where it is and although the water taxi is going to be very busy, we'd be one of the ones dropped off first so its a good position. We should be on the water at ~9.00, planning for lunch on board. There are a fair few Cap Breizh boats due to be around, a couple of very nice Solents - one of which is a brother in bright red
. I think they're quite keen to hook up with us, and mentioned that they'd be delighted if some Jerseyers came down aswell. I think their plan is an evening dinner/picnic on Chausey, so that might work for those returning to the island in the evening
.
I mentioned earlier the restrictions around the area....
There are three zones of restriction, one at Cancale, which is where the start will be. This area is out of bounds to all spectators at all times. Going from the map, to which I will include a link, we reckon the best place to watch from will be south of Chausey, as close to the action as possible. We are currently unsure whether all the boats are starting at the same time, the lentgh of the start line is huge, so this would be a real possibility. If they are set off in groups, we would plan to follow the "G class" boat - the largest-, but if they are set off first we would wait slightly later to watch a couple of classes depart before catching the front runners at Cap Frehel and watching them all go past there.
The second zone of exclusion is at Cap Frehel, further along the coast to the west. It is quite a small zone: set up presumably because all the yachts will be taking the corner very tightly indeed, it is on the land here where the greatest restrictions are - police are to be stationed every hundred metres and parking is all to be heavy regulated etc etc.
The third zone is the entire area, right up the the Minquiers - the large green box -, to enter this boax you must be a powered vessel and must monitor channel 16 on a fixed set continuously. I assume that will not pose anyone any problems
All in all it should be a fantastic event, the second runway at the airport is closed for parking; Brittany Ferries is running a special service to watch it, as it Condor and all the local ones too. There are massive temporary one way systems being set up on the roads, and even air restrictions to enable all the TV and safety helicopters to operate safely. At least ten lifeboats have been called up from the auxillary fleet, having spoken to the crew of our local lifeboat as they were setting off, a continuous watch is being held overnight and it should all kick off in the morning. In my mind at least, it looks as if this event is definitely going to be one not to miss, I hope that anyone from the CIs debating (...Matt...
) does come down, it is going to be an absolute melee tomorrow!
We will ring around everyone's MMSIs tomorrow just in case you decide to come at the last minute
P.S. Small boats are never usually welcome in the Bassin Vaubin anyway, but you'd have no chance at all of getting in tomorrow since all the boats that live on the pontoons to which the racing yachts have been temporarily moored need to be moved back to their original positions. That is combined with the fact that there is a large temporary exposition hall on the quay, if you wanted a meal in St. Malo, the usual thing would be to moor in the large marina "Bas Sablons" and walk the mile to intra-muros.
P.P.S. Das linken...
http://www.cg22.fr/fileadmin/redact_...e_rhum2010.pdf
. Good choice of venue too Matt.
Into the Red
Ro Row
Rib race maybe, wafi race I don't think so!
