Conrad and Cat Phones ready for Route du Rhum start this weekend
by Teresa Page 30 Oct 2014 15:52 GMT
2 November 2014
Conrad aboard his Class 40 yacht Cat Phones © Mark Lloyd /
www.lloyd-images.com
Yachtsman Conrad Humphreys is making the final preparations for his return to solo racing in the prestigious Route du Rhum race which gets under way from Saint-Malo this weekend.
Plymouth-based Conrad, sailing in his Class 40 yacht, Cat Phones, has been in the historic French port since 21 October and can't wait for the race to start.
"We're in really good shape," said Conrad. "We arrived in Saint-Malo with only a very small 'to do' list still to be done. We're ready and raring to go. The boat is well prepared and I feel relaxed and looking forward to what should be a very tough race."
Speaking from his boat in Saint-Malo, Conrad described the atmosphere ahead of the race as "incredible", with crowds packing the harbour pontoons to get a glimpse of the yachts and the sailors, who are seen as sporting heroes in France: "The Route du Rhum is one of the biggest sporting events in France. The crowds are 10-deep and you have to fight your way through them to get to your boat. There's just an amazing, carnival feeling."
Conrad, 41, is one of just three Brits competing in the 3,500 mile race from the Brittany port to Pointe-à-Pitre, in Guadeloupe. At the age of 75, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is racing in the Rhum Class, while Miranda Merron competes in the Class 40 alongside Conrad.
A record 91 boats in five classes will be on the start line for the 10th edition of the single-handed transatlantic race, which takes place in November every four years and is traditionally dominated by French sailors.
Conrad's target is to be among the leading pack in the Class 40s, where over 40 sailors will be doing battle: "There are 15 to 20 boats capable of winning in my class, which I think is going to be the one to watch. It's like a transatlantic Figaro, with so many boats so evenly matched.
"I'd like to think that I've got a good chance; it comes down to having a good weather strategy. The French sailors will undoubtedly be the ones to beat. With this field, anyone who finishes in the top 10 will have had a good race."
A staggering two million well-wishers are expected in Saint-Malo to cheer the sailors on their way at the start of the race at 2pm French time (1pm UK time) on Sunday.
For Conrad, it's a return to solo racing after a three year break. In 2004-5 he became only the 5th British sailor at that time to complete the non-stop, single-handed, unassisted round-the-world Vendée Globe.
In August, Conrad announced a new three-year sponsorship with Bullitt Group, the global licensee and manufacturer for rugged Cat Phones and accessories. He has chartered the yacht from experienced F1 technical director, Mike Gascoyne.
And in October, Conrad revealed plans to create an academy for a new generation of young sailors at his new team base at the former Royal Marines Commando site at Turnchapel on Plymouth's waterfront.
Follow Conrad's progress via his daily blogs and the race tracker at www.conradhumphreys.com