Goulven Marie, at the start of the Transat CIC

Goulven Marie, a member of the Lagoped Family, has the honor of participating with the Class40 Qwanza in The Transat CIC, starting from Lorient on April 28.

We explain what the Transat CIC is through a pre-race interview.

The Transat CIC is a solo race between Lorient and New York and is one of the historic transatlantic races. The start is on Sunday, April 28.

The Transat CIC, formerly known as the OSTAR and the English Transat, is a true institution in the world of offshore racing. Since 1960, it has been making history in transatlantic sailing, connecting Lorient to New York across the North Atlantic. This solo race requires sailors to navigate far north to face Atlantic depressions, living up to its reputation as one of the toughest races. For this edition, about fifteen Class40 boats, representing the best of the series, are at the start. Some skippers are seeking their qualification for the Vendée Globe, in the Imoca category, 18m boats designed for circumnavigations. The course is simple and pure: a start line at Lorient and a finish line in New York. However, sailors must remain vigilant and avoid the cetacean zone to prevent collisions with marine animals.

Held every four years, this race is the oldest of its kind and has contributed to the fame of great sailors like Éric Tabarly. It is often called the "mother of all other" transatlantic races. For this edition, it is the first time the Class40 Qwanza, led by Goulven Marie, is starting this prestigious race. The start is scheduled for April 28, marking the beginning of a new epic adventure on the high seas.

At the end of March, Goulven Marie began qualifying for the Transat CIC in the Mediterranean, a crucial step to prepare for the prestigious transatlantic race. From the very first night, a strong east wind propelled his Class40 offshore, pushing him all the way to the Spanish coast. However, he had to stay vigilant to avoid a storm forming near Marseille. Unfortunately, mechanical problems arose, forcing Goulven to stop in Mataró, near Barcelona, to carry out necessary repairs. After this forced break, he resumed sailing and passed Ibiza after the third day at sea. The Alicante region presented him with a persistent headwind, forcing him to make a stop at the marina in Denia. 

The Mediterranean, with its whims, then offers him a strong southwest wind, much stronger than expected, followed by an almost negligible northeast breeze, illustrating the contrasts of this capricious sea. The last days of qualification are marked by a lack of wind, giving Goulven the opportunity to tinker and adjust the accuracy of the “wind” data. Finally, he completes his solo qualification by reaching Cascais, marking the end of his Mediterranean journey and the beginning of his final preparation for the Transat CIC.

After completing his solo qualification for the Transat CIC, Goulven Marie turns to a new challenge: the Transat Québec Saint-Malo. The schedule of this race offers an ideal timing to sail the Atlantic after the Transat CIC, at the end of June. For the qualification of this second event, Goulven is initially joined by three crew members for the crossing of the Bay of Biscay: Philippe, Stéphane, and Matthieu.

However, at the end of this qualification, one of the crew members decided not to participate in the Transat Québec Saint-Malo. This situation highlights the importance of qualifications, which allow testing the crew’s preparation and dynamics. Goulven will ultimately be accompanied by the president of Qwanza - a strategy and transformation consulting firm - and a client, both fulfilling the dream of participating in a transat.

The Transat Québec Saint-Malo (TQSM) is the oldest offshore race from west to east, non-stop and with a crew. Since 1984, it has taken place every four years starting from the Saint Lawrence River between Québec and Lévis. Racers face currents and tides before crossing the Atlantic from the north to avoid icebergs. This year, the Transat will celebrate its 10th edition.

Goulven Marie is preparing for his next transatlantic adventure, although he has not followed specific training. His strength lies in the consistency of his sailing, continuing from his previous sea experiences. This Transat Québec Saint-Malo will indeed be his third transatlantic race in just six months, after participating in the Jacques Vabre in October and making the return in December.

For Goulven, recovery is as essential as preparation. He relies on general physical training, combining cycling and climbing to be in top shape. No improvisation for the skipper; he ensures he is physically ready to face the race challenges.

The sequence of solo and crewed transatlantic races allows Goulven to vary his sailing exercises. Although solo sailing requires simple race management, Goulven has no strong preference between the two formats. He points out that even small crews can feel like solo racing, as there is always someone resting.

In conclusion, Goulven Marie is ready to start the Transat CIC on April 28, driven by the energy of his team and the confidence gained from his previous sea experiences. We wish him fair winds and a safe, high-performance voyage for this transatlantic adventure. 

Stay connected to closely follow this thrilling race and support Goulven in this new stage of his sailing career. By the end of 2024, Goulven will share his adventures in the Atlantic and his new projects at sea.