Gusting over 30 knots with over two metres of sea state, the downwind start for the final race of the Offshore Double Handed World Champion was nothing short of ballistic. The ten finalists from nine different nations were full launched for the 151NM race. Racing in Sun Fast 30 One Designs the first to finish would be crowned world champion.
The Lorient Agglomération Final had been delayed allowing the strong westerly winds to ease, it was the fourth low pressure system that had battered Lorient during the championship. At the downwind start, the Dutch were flying, Erik Van Vuuren & Yvonne Beusker (NED) smoked through the line in first position. However, one of the fancied teams for the championship, Charlotte Yven & Lois Berrehar (FRA), had it all on experiencing a problem with their gennaker, as did Onur Tok & Pelin Keskin (TUR).
The first leg for the fleet to Eaux Saines was an uber-fast broad reach of about 50 miles. Three hours into the race, Elodie Bonafous & Basile Bourgnon (FRA) had set a blistering pace, opening up a two-mile lead on the chasing pack including: Jonas Gerckens & Djemila Tassin (BEL) and Federico Waksman & Justina Pacheco (URU), Lina Rixgens & Sverre Reinke (GER), and Maggie Adamson & Cal Finlayson (GBR). The leading boats are averaging over 12 knots of boat speed, surfing at close to 20 knots.
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Course, speed and position via satellite:Â YBRaces/odhwc2024#
Replay of the LIVE Start:Â youtube.com/watch?v=9xbafgS2QHI
Organised by Lorient Grand Large in association with FFVoile, the Yacht Club De France and the Royal Ocean Racing Club with the support of Cap-Regatta and Multiplast/Jeanneau.