Quebec City, April, 15 2024, The FEMINA Ocean Challenge is an important project for the future of sailing in Quebec and Canada, with a strong emphasis on women's participation. Like all ambitious projects, the FEMINA Ocean Challenge was no exception, and met with its share of challenges.
Adverse weather conditions hampered training sessions, while an encounter with orcas off the coast of Portugal caused further delays in repairing the damaged rudder of the Class40 racing yacht Équinoxe.
In the wake of training challenges, it became clear that imposing responsibility for an ocean crossing on crew members with little training and not yet sufficient mastery of the boat was no longer conducive to safe sailing. As a result, Sylvie Lauzon and Emmanuelle Baréa will not be continuing with the Transat Québec Saint-Malo adventure on the Équinoxe next June. This move is in recognition of the fact that these members have not had the opportunity to fully prepare for this undertaking.
We would like to express our gratitude to Sylvie and Emmanuelle for their commitment and contribution to this ambitious project. Their personal, professional and financial sacrifice has not gone unnoticed, and they will forever remain an integral part of the history of the FEMINA Ocean Challenge.
Efforts are currently underway to recruit a female Class40 ocean racing skipper who already has in-depth knowledge of this type of boat, and who will be able to take over the leadership of Équinoxe and the younger crew still on board.
