From MCR Press Release
Martinique Cata Raid first day is traditionally considered a rather “quiet” warm-up with the completion of administrative formalities, equipment inspection, last technical preparations and a training run.
This was without counting on two notable last-minute guests: a strong established 20 knots wind teaming up with a 2.5 meters swell: harsh conditions for sport catamarans. Impossible in these difficult conditions to circumvent the Caravelle peninsula safely racing.
Hence, PRO Pierre-Charles Barraud and Wind Force organizers chosen to modify the regatta programme: short windward-leeward training, followed by a rally to the city of Trinidad.
Crystal clear waters, white sand beach, this was the sumptuous setting for the first racing day of competition in La Trinité Bay, under tonic conditions to say the least, with fifteen established knots and gusts to 25, combined with a 2 meters deep swell.
After a first general recall, Briton pair Lou Mourniac and Pierre-Yves Durand were the first to get out of the pack, a place they won’t leave until the finish. “There is still a lot of control on their part,” said Aurélien Ottou, second in the heat. I think they will be annoying! They go fast, they sail clean but this is only the first race, the race is long, it can happen a lot and above all we will fight to the end”.