A fresco, a collection, capricious weather and smiles

A DAY AT THE RACE VILLAGE

Five days before the official start of the Transat Paprec, the race village was bustling with activity, helped by more pleasant weather than the previous day. All the skippers have passed their safety checks, and the public was able to enjoy the various scheduled events throughout the day. Additionally, some skippers took part in the “Diversity Fresco,” a symbolic way to highlight the race’s strong stance on inclusion and uniqueness.

FEATURE OF THE DAY

A Fresco to Say It

Tiphaine Rideau and Pier-Paolo Dean (Les Banques Alimentaires) are the youngest participants in the race, and this morning they took part in an initiative organized by the Transat Paprec: contributing to the “Diversity Fresco.” Coming from dinghy sailing backgrounds, they’ve often sailed in mixed-gender teams and have a clear-eyed perspective on the state of offshore racing.“In sailing clubs, there are almost as many girls as boys starting out. But the numbers drop off after that,” Tiphaine noted.“It’s important to use the platform of our projects and take advantage of the visibility we have to share our messages,” added Pier-Paolo.

Throughout the morning, the duo, along with members of the event’s partners and organizers, took part in collaborative workshops. “They engaged in collective intelligence exercises to discuss issues of gender balance and inclusivity,” explained facilitator Xavier Hernandez. Participants worked together to build a fresco using thematic cards to “help raise awareness, build shared vocabulary, and identify situations that can lead to discrimination.” At the end of the session, Pier-Paolo expressed his appreciation: “It was great to have a safe space to reflect on these issues.” A second session is scheduled for skippers and event staff on Thursday morning.

SKIPPERS’ CORNER

Everything You Need to Know About the “Safety Check”

A mandatory step before every race start: the all-important “safety check.” Skippers awaited the race jury for a 90-minute inspection. The goal: to verify all safety equipment and ensure the boat complies with all regulations. Lifelines, navigation lights, life raft, grab bag—everything is examined and recorded on a checklist.“ Generally, in the Figaro class, it’s just a formality,” said Race Director Yann Château. “There are occasionally things to fix on boats that haven’t sailed in a while, or with younger crews.”If any issues are found, skippers can schedule a follow-up inspection on Thursday or Friday to ensure everything is up to code and be ready for a smooth departure on Sunday.

PHOTO OF THE DAY.

A clean up and some skippers

Adrien Simon and Chloé Le Bars (FAUN) invited volunteers to join them in the early afternoon at Sables Blancs beach in Concarneau for a cheerful beach cleanup. Notably, skipper Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif) also took part.

WATCHING THE SKY

Mild Weather for Sunday?

After a rainy morning and chilly temperatures yesterday, visitors enjoyed some sunny breaks today before more unsettled weather returned in the afternoon. The weather remains unstable and is expected to continue that way over the next few days. However, according to Météo Consult, the chance of showers on Sunday is low, despite “a very cloudy to overcast sky.”

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ANECDOTE OF THE DAY

One Boat, Two Skippers, and a Medley of Languages!

Cindy Brin and Thomas André (Cap St Barth), both taking part in their first Transat Paprec, stand out for several reasons. Cindy is the first female sailor from Saint Barthélemy in the race’s history, promising quite the celebration at the finish.Born and raised on the island, she understands both local dialects spoken there, especially by her parents. Meanwhile, Thomas is fluent in Breton, having sailed under the banner of the Diwan Breton-language schools during his Mini Transat years.“ We each have our unique connection to our region, its culture, and its language,” said Thomas with a smile. “It builds bridges and gives everything more meaning.”