The Transat CIC it is one of the most prestigious single-handed transoceanic regattas, by virtue of the participation of some of the greatest legends of sailing. Established in 1960 as The English Transat (or OSTAR) – later known as 1 Star – and now simply called The Transat, it helped create myths like that of Èric Tabarly, in 1964, and consecrated several French sailors, including François Gabart, who just in the last two years ranked second in the Route du Rhum 2022 in the Ultim class and won the Rolex Fastnet Race 2023. After the 2016 edition, the Transat CIC was supposed to take place again in 2020, celebrating its 60th anniversary, but was cancelled and postponed to 2024, due to the pandemic.
The beginning of the 15th edition of the TransatCIC is set for Sunday, April 28, 2024. The distance to be covered from Lorient – one of the great ocean sailing centres in France – to New York will be 3,500 NM, along a challenging route in the North Atlantic Ocean, very difficult due to wind, sea and current conditions.
The competition is open to several classes, for a total of 80 boats: IMOCAs, Ocean Fiftys, Class40s and the vintage crafts from the Vintage Sailboats class. In order to participate, skippers must have covered a solo qualifying pathway of at least 1,200 NM before March 28, 2024, or have sailed a solo race of at least 500 NM, plus an additional qualifying distance for a total of 1,400 NM in racing configuration. However, sailors who have completed the Retour à la Base 2023 or the Route du Rhum 2022 – like Alberto Bona – are automatically qualified.
