After two weeks at the heart of the Route du Rhum race village in Saint-Malo, the time has come for Anne-Claire Le Berre to set sail. At the helm of the Ocean Fifty UpWind by MerConcept, she is preparing to compete in her first solo transatlantic race. Supported by an experienced technical team and weather routing team, she approaches this major challenge with composure, determination and a sense of anticipation shared by everyone involved.
Anne-Claire Le Berre: “Calm, focused and exactly where I wanted to be”
After two intense weeks immersed in the event, the skipper of UpWind by MerConcept is now turning her full attention to the race. From the buzz on the pontoons and the enthusiasm of the crowds in Saint-Malo to the meticulous final adjustments made by the technical team, this time ashore has helped fine-tune every aspect of her preparation.
“These two weeks in Saint-Malo have been incredibly intense. Sharing the anticipation with the public, feeling so much support for UpWind by MerConcept and seeing the boat in immaculate condition, ready to go thanks to the team, has been very special. The celebrations are an integral part of the event: a real rite of passage between life ashore and life at sea, and an essential opportunity to unwind before the start.
“Our communication channels and check-in schedule with the weather routing team have long been established, allowing us to focus our efforts on analysing the weather. Justine Mettraux has put a huge amount of work into the preparation and will be supported from Concarneau by Yann Eliès and Elodie Jane Mettraux to guide me throughout the crossing. This is the culmination of a long-term effort and a collective approach to preparation. I am focused, I know where I am heading, and I am exactly where I wanted to be.”
Anne-Claire Le Berre, skipper of UpWind by MerConcept
Weather outlook: a fast start and a tactically demanding Atlantic crossing
While conditions look favourable for the opening miles out of Saint-Malo, the route to Guadeloupe will present some complex strategic choices. Justine Mettraux outlines the expected weather scenario:
“Conditions at the start should be fairly pleasant, with around 12 knots of wind, downwind sailing and sunshine. The opening miles will require careful positioning and manoeuvring, particularly approaching Cap Fréhel, before a fairly fast downwind leg through the first night of racing.
“The North Atlantic, however, is currently unsettled. Low-pressure systems developing unusually far south are preventing the trade winds from becoming established. For now, there is no conventional southerly route available, and the routing points instead towards a more direct course north of the Azores. We will need to work our way through a succession of weather systems and remain highly adaptable. Forecasts currently suggest a crossing of around 10 to 11 days, but that estimate will need to be refined daily.”
Justine Mettraux, UpWind by MerConcept weather routing team
