At the beginning of 2023, I applied for the Gentoo Youth Program. Designed to support U23 sailors into offshore and short-handed sailing, while also providing the opportunity to help sail and support the Gentoo IMOCA, the program is something that has helped me take a step towards offshore racing. With regular sailing opportunities, workshops and webinars, I have got a lot out of the program so far, meeting some great sailors as well as learning skills such as splicing, sail repair and nutrition from professionals within the industry. In 2024, I reapplied for the program and am excited to continue getting involved. My most recent adventure with the program is the trip to Lorient for the Transat CIC. This is my experience helping deliver and prepare an IMOCA for a Transatlantic.

The Transat CIC dates back to the beginning of solo ocean racing. Starting in the offshore hub of Lorient, finishing in the iconic New York Harbour across the Atlantic. Originally called the OSTAR, La Transat Anglaise and then the Transat CIC, the race has been running since 1960, and boasts testing skippers such as Eric Tabarly and Chichester in an upwind battle through the series of big North Atlantic depressions. In the past, the race took around 40 days, but with modern racing machines such as IMOCAs, the fastest boats are making the crossing in just 8 days! Mid-April we headed out to the start to get the boat ready for the event.

The Gentoo IMOCA, built in 2007 already has a defined history in ocean racing, lapping the world twice before. Part of the development class of IMOCA, the 60-foot race boat is now setting a new course under skipper James Harayda. Lorient represents the home of IMOCA sailing, and I was excited to set of on the delivery from Gosport to Lorient. The crew consisted of James, Nathan, Tom, Victoria and me and after prepping the boat the day before, we set off mid-morning into the English Channel. Sunny and light winds it was an easy start, heading round the Isle of Wight we then set our sights west. After an easy couple of hours of sailing, we headed into the first night, and with steady breeze, we continued to beat along the coast of the UK, with a bright stary sky and warm freeze dried, it went smoothly as we started to settle into the boat. We woke to a deadened sunrise, hidden behind a layer of low-lying clouds. By our surprise we ran into L’Esprit d’Equipe, a boat competing in the OGR and headed towards the finish. In this moment, as we sailed away at 10 knots in a light morning breeze, it was clear how far ocean race boats have come in the last 50 years.

It is meant to be bad luck to make predictions on a sail boat, but nonetheless, with lots of time to natter on the delivery, Tom lead the predictions for the day: that the sun would come out, the wind will be on the beam, 15 knots of wind will arrive and that warm sausage roles would fall from the sky… By the evening, all the predictions came true (except one) which left us with some great sailing across the channel and into the tide around the Brest headland. We were now on the ‘home straight’ to Lorient. The wind was due to die as we approached the coast, so we enjoyed the 14-17 knots while we could, enjoying the benefits of both the canting keel and the ballast tanks. You can feel the lift engaging on the leeward foil as it hits the water, helping lift the boat in a stronger breeze. Much like the Figaro 3, the foils help you maintain power for longer by creating lift on the leeward side and it was great to see them in action on a bigger and faster boat.

Finally, as the sky brightened with the night lights of Lorient on the horizon, we sent the boat along at 14-15 knots! Surfing through the dark, the water was lit up with bright bioluminescent, brightest I have ever seen! The edge of the foil was on fire with blue as it glided through. Assuming the level of light was thanks to Northern Atlantic spring plankton blooms, and it was incredible to see. How lucky we were to be gliding on a glowing sea!! Over this delivery it was also my 23rd birthday, so this and a Colin the caterpillar cake made the day – what a way to turn another year older… Finally, as the sun rose, we motored into Lorient, skipping around unlit fishing boats before arriving at the towering Le Base.

Lorient, named after the first boat built there, Le Soleil d’Orient, has over time become a centre for sailing in France and now stands as the home of offshore and ocean racing. For me arriving in Lorient was a strange moment, unfamiliar and magical in one way, but also familiar in another, recognised over years of seeing photos, videos and articles based around the walls of the old submarine base. The marina is filled with minis, Figaro’s, class 40s and IMOCAs as well as spot points for open 50s and a series of Eric Tabarly boats sailing in and out of the harbour with tourists. Sometimes you can even see a little lifeboat, filled with enthusiastic visitors! Any time you talk to a wannabe ocean racer, Lorient is where they want to move to, and its easy to see why, with everything you need to sail in arms reach from Le Base. In large events, up to 3 million visitors come to Lorient to see the sailing, bigger than Formula 1! It is clear that the French foster enthusiasm in sailing much better than the British, and since arriving, many days we are excitedly interrupted by a stuttering Frenchman, eager to ask questions and take photos. It feels like we are missing something in the UK…

My role at the Transat CIC was to help with setting up the boat for the event, from cleaning, to fixing and preparing stuff on board as well as coming along for the start and training sails. It is the perfect opportunity to get hands on with the IMOCAs and see first hand the grand prix of offshore sailing in its home in Lorient. The race village was buzzing, and we spent full days on the boat under Tim and James learning the ins and outs of preparing an IMOCA, while also taking in Lorient and the surrounding area. Crepes and cider served traditionally in a bowl were staples for me in the two weeks and we were lucky with good weather for the time we spent on the boat. Surrounded with boats such as Maliza, For the Planet, L’Occitane etc., it became (almost) normal to see sailing legends stroll down the dock with a morning coffee or their crew, but we still freaked out when Sam Goodchild strolled over and shook our hands or Sam Davis walked by!

We went out for a number of sails, the first one being on the Tuesday after we got there, taking the new sails for a spin while Nathan was still in Lorient. A short trip, as it was quickly noticed that part of the rigging was unusually loose and should be checked before any other issues occur. The night before, Nathan had prepped a sail repair bag for James, and it was interesting to see what one might bring on a Vendee Globe or a Transatlantic race, and we spent hours asking questions about sail repair –  a topic I am particularly fond of after spending so much time repairing sails of Translated 9.

On Saturday, we went out for another sail. One thing that has been apparent in Lorient in the attitude towards sailing. Earlier in the week, a young lad called Jacquline came up to the boat and asked if he could go sailing. He came on board on Saturday and as a good sailor and a great kid, it was amazing to see him light up on board. I think as sailors it is easy to close off others, not understanding how far we have come in our own sailing and how many opportunities are only possible with the community and those small chances that someone says yes. I hope wherever I go in sailing I always keep this in mind. Tim, the boat captain always shares his knowledge, quoting every time ‘this is no good in just my head’, and I think its a great way to think. No progress can be made alone, and you should never gatekeep a sport that can provide such amazing opportunities, and I am forever thankful for Gentoo for providing an opportunity to get involved.

Finishing on a good note, we headed in, and continued to drill through the list of jobs onboard. The days were counting down and the race village was slowly coming into shape every time we walked past. Tuesday marked the Tour de Groix, a lap around the island to allow for the boats to sail together and provide a parade before the race start on Sunday. As we approached, it turned out to instead be a timed lap of the Island. Light winds and strong tides, we ended up coming 3^rd, not bad at all! This was the final opportunity to get out on the water before the start, and the remaining days were to be full of meetings, events, final jobs and packing for the race. The general hub of Lorient slowly increased, and a combination of live events, family activities, IMOCA simulators and food stalls created a fete like feel to the venue. The last of the IMOCAs and class 40s arrived, and the flags were flying, completing the race atmosphere in time for the final countdown.

Race day came quickly, and with James being one of the last boats to leave the dock, we had a calm morning piling on the final bags of food and kit, watching skipper presentations in the race village and enjoying a quick coffee before removing lines and fenders and heading to the start. I jumped on the RIB while the boat headed out with Tim, Jimmy, Victoria, Tom and James and after hoisting the main and a brief downfall of rain, I picked up Tom and we followed Gentoo to the starting area. It was busy, with boats in their own preparation for the start of the race and a hub of assistance boats and spectators milling about meant that it was important to keep a lookout for fear of being run over by an IMOCA or a cruising boat full of Frenchmen. As the minutes ticked by, Gentoo was slowly getting ready for the start. 20 minutes to go and we ferried the rest of the crew off the boat, leaving James alone for the start of the next 10 days of solo sailing. As per the race rules we quickly cleared out of the way and headed to the outskirts of the starting area with the rest of the crews and spectators, engines thrumming with team flags flying in the steady spring breeze.

The water was choppy with so many boats in the water around us, waiting for the chase as the boats passed the start line. Suddenly, the start gun had gone, the IMOCAs full speed as they headed out towards the Atlantic. RIBS started flying past, and media helicopters weaving low to the water as we tried to keep up with the boats. James was middle of the line, surrounded by other boats, and as we tried to get towards Gentoo, we had to skirt out of the way of foiling boats racing towards us. L’Occitane flew past, hull fully out of the water, the speed and power of the boat completely different to what I had grown used to in my own sailing. I was awestruck. When we finally reached James, it was clear he was in the groove, sails up and by himself he looked to be in his element. Jimmy was busy taking photos, with Tim driving under his direction. Finally, as the fleet continued offshore it was time to turn around and head back to Lorient. I was amazed, the sight of the boats heading to sea was incredible and although I enjoyed watching James set off on the race, all I could think about was how I wanted desperately to be on one of those boats sailing into the Atlantic, this really is the peak of ocean and offshore sailing!

I am incredibly grateful for the experience to be part of the Transat CIC preparations for Gentoo. The insight into the class that I gained was invaluable and I hope this experience will set me in good stead for future opportunities, whatever that might be. I look forward to continuing to pursue offshore sailing in the chance that one day I will also be setting off on my own solo Atlantic crossing, or returning to Lorient for my own racing. Fingers crossed and thanks to everyone who made it such a great experience!