We have been following Éric Pilato’s project since May, when we met him in La Rochelle aboard Skiboo 2, his Excess 11 hull #151. His own “Route du Rhum” was still in preparation at the time. When we caught up with him a few months later at the Grand Pavois, the skipper only had the final preparations and provisioning left to complete. On Sunday, October 4, cheered on by family and friends, he finally cast off.
His destination is Pointe-à-Pitre, broadly following the northern Route du Rhum course. Éric set off around three weeks ahead of the competitors in the famous transatlantic race, with the ambition of reaching Guadeloupe at roughly the same time as them.
Conditions were fairly kind for his first night at sea. With the wind from astern, few maneuvers were required: a first gybe under gennaker during the night, followed by a second at daybreak. As the wind began to free considerably, Éric was then preparing his orange asymmetric spinnaker to continue southwest.
The log already shows 120 miles covered, and the adventure is only just beginning.Skiboo 2 has received a few modifications for the crossing, including an additional halyard replacing the topping lift to provide a backup solution, as well as additional solar panels.
If Éric Pilato reaches Pointe-à-Pitre as planned, he will complete the first solo, nonstop transatlantic crossing aboard an Excess 11. An adventure we’ll now be following mile by mile across the Multihulls World platforms.
To follow Skiboo 2, click here!
