The new season has well and truly begun! Less than two months before the big start of the legendary Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, our skipper William, accompanied by his faithful co-skipper Pietro Luciani, has headed back out to sea. Competing in the 40′ Malouine aboard the Class40 Patapain Les Invincibles, proudly supported by GROUPE DEKUPLE, this long weekend of racing was the ultimate dress rehearsal. Between a demanding double-handed offshore event and fully crewed races focused on sharing, let’s look back at three days of intense competition in the heart of the corsair city.
A full-scale test: the 24-hour offshore race
From Thursday morning, the pontoons of Saint-Malo were buzzing with palpable excitement. For the 15 competing crews, this 40′ Malouine was much more than just a race: it was the ideal opportunity to gauge themselves against a highly competitive fleet and validate the final tweaks before the November deadline. The starting gun was fired for a 167-mile course through the Channel Islands. William and Pietro set off with a clear goal: to test new sails and put the boat through its paces on the very same waters that will host the big start of the Route du Rhum.
However, the weather played with the sailors’ nerves. Starting in very light winds, our Franco-Italian duo had a mixed start, falling slightly behind the leaders. But that was without counting on the perseverance of our sailors, ready to sail fiercely. After 24 hours and 45 minutes of a race marked by doldrums that brought several competitors to a dead stop, Patapain Les Invincibles crossed the finish line in 8th place.
« It was a very mixed race, there was good and not so good. We worked hard to catch up, ultimately finishing not that far behind the others. Aside from a few long hours, we generally had a lot of fun! », confided William upon his return. A very positive outcome, as this offshore event allowed them to validate crucial technical points before the transatlantic race.
The Lodigroup Trophy: a podium finish to end the weekend in style!
After the rigors of the open sea, it was time for sharing! The weekend continued with the Lodigroup Trophy, built around two days of coastal racing in the Bay of Saint-Malo. For this fully crewed phase, the spirit was more exhibition-style, with a clear motto: have fun, share special moments with the partners on board, and above all, preserve the equipment just weeks before the big leap.
And the result exceeded expectations! Under a bright sun and in an idyllic setting, the crew managed to play their cards right. At the end of these two magnificent days combining sportsmanship and good cheer, Patapain Les Invincibles brilliantly secured the 3rd step of the regatta’s podium. A superb performance that rewards the hard work of the entire team.
Heading for November!
This Malouin weekend thus ends on a highly encouraging note. Between the technical validation during the offshore race and the festive podium shared with our partners, it’s mission accomplished for William. The coming days will be dedicated to the very last training sessions around Lorient. GROUPE DEKUPLE is more than ever behind its sailor for the rest of the adventure. As William summed it up so well to close this event: « See you in two months for the start of the Route du Rhum! ». It’s a date!