Oren Nataf qualified for the 12th Route du Rhum

 

Yacht Club de Monaco member Oren Nataf qualified for the 12th Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe aboard his trimaran Rayon Vert, yesterday 9th August 2022. 

 

Whatever the size of boat or the skipper’s track record, the entry requirements are the same for all: the race rules require contestants to cover 1,200 miles (2,222km) solo, on any route approved by the organisation, close-hauled in a steady wind rising at some point in excess of Force 5.

 

It’s job done for Oren after he completed a loop in 4 days 20 hours, starting in La Rochelle, heading to La Coruna in north Spain then via the Fastnet Rock off Ireland, the Isles of Scilly, the tip of Brittany and returning to La Rochelle. This qualification is the fulfilment of a dream for the 50-year-old amateur sailor who only discovered offshore racing ten years ago when he bought his first boat.

 

“I am very happy and quite surprised to have succeeded. It’s fantastic to know that now I can take the start of this the most famous transatlantic solo race,” said Oren who for the last two years has put all his energy into preparing this project. He has surrounded himself with solid support in the form of François Séruzier to manage it, Jean Saucet in charge of preparing his Pulsar 50, and Sidney Gavinet as coach, with whom he won the scratch category of the Drheam Cup on 19th July.

 

“Up to now when I wasn’t sure about qualifying, I couldn’t really look ahead and preferred to take it one step at a time. Now it’s official, I realise that I’ve started the clock ticking down to the final straight before the start on 6th November in St Malo. It’s stressful but exciting,” says Oren who admitted this morning that he still has a lot to prove.

 

There’s huge satisfaction on the part of his Club. “His passion is a tremendous driving force. Big congratulations to Oren who will join on the quays of the Corsaire city Boris Herrmann as he too will by flying our flag aboard his brand new IMOCA Malizia-Seaexplorer. We are so proud to have two Yacht Club de Monaco members on the start of this prestigious transatlantic held every four years,” said YCM General Secretary, Bernard d’Alessandri.