Sailing: A “Maximum” of people for the start of the offshore race in Port-Camargue

Un monde fou sur les quais autour de la capitainerie de Port Camargue. Med Max – Robin Christol

Pontoons packed with people, an incalculable number of boaters at sea, close to the line, the start on Sunday was worthy of the greatest offshore racing events. For a first, it was a success.

"That it be sustainable, media-friendly and popular." These were the priorities of Kito de Pavant, the organizer, before the start of the Med Max. It will take a little time to know if the first two criteria will have been met. For the third, there is no longer any doubt and the arrival village, in Saïdia, has not yet opened. The Moroccans even announce a royal welcome. When you know their sense of hospitality, you can expect something grand in front of a large crowd.

While waiting for next weekend, it was in Port Camargue, Sunday morning, that nearly a thousand people had gathered for the departure.

Traffic jam on the docks

On the Bougainville quay and all around the Port Camargue harbor master's office, there were many people, sailing enthusiasts or not, to see these 40 and 50 foot boats leave the pontoons. A crowd not at the level of a Vendée Globe, a Route du Rhum or a Transat Jacques-Vabre, but the visual impression was the same. You had to wait to get through and not jostle on the quays.

A curious and sometimes neophyte public, like this lady who explained to her friend that “the departure was in Sète”. Regardless, there were people there and they were enthusiastic, listening to the applause that greeted the departures of each boat from the port.

These encouragements grew louder when the regionals in turn weighed anchor. Like Montpellier's Achille Nebout, whose eyes were shining as he set off on a bay where he sailed for the first time. There was also, as a symbol, the departure of Béziers' Nasser Arraiss, Moroccan by birth, who waved a flag of his country as he cast off.

Snapshots that are always special moments between the skippers and their family, when they have to leave their wife, child or parent. An emotional burden that must be quickly evacuated to concentrate on the real start, that of the race.

And there again, there were traffic jams but on the water… It was necessary to make room near the line, there were so many boaters, whether they were on sailboats, catamarans or semi-rigids. So much so that security had to act as police to leave a little space for the racing boats. An enthusiasm that testifies to the fervour for the Med Max. It was still felt at the start, greeted by the many foghorn blasts let out by the amateur sailors. Who were not satisfied with that.

Amateur sailors among the racing boats

They accompanied the twenty-six boats very far, some as far as Sète, despite their slow progress after the start. So much so that there was a sort of organized cacophony on the water, between the boats participating in the race and the spectator sailors, who interspersed themselves among them. Little by little, the number of followers decreased and the skippers found themselves among themselves. An almost lonely feeling and emotional fallout, which was also felt on land.

The stands in the departure village have all been dismantled and There was no one left in front of the giant screen where the start was being broadcast. It would normally take four years to relive a start and experience such enthusiasm for ocean racing. But there is no doubt that will have left its mark on everyone's minds: skippers, guides, spectators, decision-makers and even organizers.

There is also no doubt that Kito de Pavant's three priorities are becoming a reality.

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