A restart under blue skies
After three anxious days sheltering from an Atlantic storm, the Class 40 fleet finally departed La Coruña at midday on 1 November. Sunshine, a northerly 12–15 knots, and flat seas offered a welcome contrast to the chaos that had forced organisers to halt the race on day three.
Leaders Corentin Douguet / Axel Tréhin aboard SNSM Faites un don! crossed the start line first, hotly pursued by Seafrigo-Sogestran (Guillaume Pirouelle / Cédric Château) and Edenred 40 (David Sineau / Erwan Le Mené). Behind them, 37 boats cleared the Spanish coast in bright conditions, heading for the open Atlantic.
“The atmosphere on the pontoons this morning was electric,” said race director Francis Le Goff. “Everyone wanted to get moving again, but there’s huge respect for the sea after what’s just passed.”
The race resumes
For many Class 40 crews, the stopover was more than rest — it was repair. Broken autopilots, split sails, and damaged electronics were mended thanks to local volunteers and the port’s round-the-clock assistance.
As they left, the route split quickly. A northern pack opted to skirt the Portuguese high, while most plunged south toward the Canaries. Weather models show the southern route paying early as the trades rebuild.
Among those choosing the southerly line are Ireland’s Pam Lee / Catherine Hunt (EmpoHer), the all-female crew sailing one of the race’s most-watched entries, and New Zealander Conrad Colman in the IMOCA class, already south of Madeira when the restart began.
Across the fleet
In the IMOCA 60 class, the duel between Charal and MACIF Santé Prévoyance continues just west of the Canaries, with TeamWork – Team SNEF close behind. “It’s all about staying patient,” said Charal’s Jérémie Beyou. “We’ve got the trade-wind tunnel ahead, but one squall can change everything.”
Colman’s MSIG Europe, carrying the Kiwi flag, remains in mid-fleet but within striking distance. His conservative sail choices during the opening storm are now paying dividends as others rebuild confidence after damage.
The Ocean Fiftys are already roaring south of Cape Verde, with Edenred 5 extending a comfortable lead, while the ULTIM giants race toward the Doldrums. SVR Lazartigue maintains command, but Banque Populaire XI and Sodebo Ultim 3 are within 150 miles — a margin that could vanish in one squall line.
Whats to come
With all four fleets finally racing freely, the Atlantic looks set to deliver the Transat Café L’OR’s traditional rhythm — steady trades, tactical squalls, and thousands of miles of pure ocean passage.
By Monday, the Class 40s will cross the latitude of Madeira, the IMOCAs will begin their push toward the Cape Verde Islands, and the ULTIMs could already be sniffing the equator.
For the sailors, it’s a relief to be racing again; for those watching, the real Transat Café L’OR has only just begun.
