On June 30, the Saint Lawrence River will welcome 30 sailboats which will set sail towards France for the 10e edition of the Transat Québec Saint-Malo.
It is filled with love for the sport and excitement for the race that the several dozen crews prepare their boats in the Old Port of Quebec in anticipation of the big start. Coming from Italy, France, England or Quebec, the competitors all have the same objective: to cross the Atlantic as quickly as possible.
“It’s like a ritual. The runners cross Europe to the Caribbean or to New York in the race, they come to Quebec all together to leave for Saint-Malo,” says Richard Samson, general director of the event which is held every four years. since 1984.
The fastest will complete their journey in a little over a week. Among them, some will try to beat the record established in 1996 by Loïck Peyron, who completed the crossing in 7 days, 20 hours and 24 minutes. Organizers are expecting a “spectacular finish”, where the competition “will last until the last minute”.
For others, racing takes on meaning beyond the competitive aspect. On board of El Unicornio, Quebecer Georges Leblanc will begin his last crossing of the Atlantic at the age of 72. He completed the trip for the first time during the 1996 edition of the Transat Québec Saint-Malo. This race is therefore a real return to basics for the experienced sailor.
Some will try to make history in their own way. “We have a 100% female crew attacking the Atlantic, it’s not nothing, it’s really special in fact,” explains Richard Samson. Made up of two Quebecers and two Frenchwomen, the Femina Océan Challenge team, in their ship Equinox, will attempt to be the first all-female crew to complete the Transat Québec Saint-Malo. “We have good hopes of seeing them finish in the top 10,” adds Mr. Samson. Another female and French crew, La Boulangère Bio, will also sail on the high seas to try to reach Saint-Malo.
A race with a historical flavor
According to Mr. Samson, “the race is a reminder of the importance of the river and the importance of sailing.” Although the first edition was held in celebration of the 450e anniversary of Jacques Cartier’s first trip to Quebec, the race has taken on a broader symbolic importance in recent years.
“It reminds us of our history between Saint-Malo and Quebec obviously. But above all it highlights the St. Lawrence as a highway for the First Nations. They used the river a lot for transport, but also for traveling, fishing, and feeding,” says Richard Samson.
The organizers testify that 40 years after the first race, enthusiasm for the sport has not diminished. “In 2020, we had a magnificent fleet and we anticipated a record total participation.” The pandemic having prevented the competition from taking place, the organizers have promised a legendary race for 2024.