A watchful Kestrel scans the long grass below. Holding station effortlessly, riding the buffeting updraughts. With the occasional beat of powerful wings. Barred tail held low.
It hovers high above the angular walls, and round-topped turrets, of Port Louis Citadelle. Which guards the narrow, rock girt, bottleneck, that is gateway to Lorient's sheltered inner rade.
Violette Dorange (who is taking over Sam Davies' mantle, as skipper of the IMOCA Initiatives Coeur) braves the blustery conditions, to learn the ways of her new charge. Veteran of the 2024 Vendee Globe, aboard a 2006 dagger board design, she is new to foiling scows.
The wind rises another notch, as a rain squall closes in, from the island of Groix. Setting the ships at anchor, in its shelter, swinging.
Some hours later, Violette sweeps back, beneath the ramparts. An oilskin clad entourage evident on the aft deck, preparing to drop sail. Once in their lee.
Whilst a, madcap, Ocean Fifty trimaran closes, from seaward, at full throttle. Trailing a tall white rooster-tail astern. Embodying the, fun loving, spirit of her sponsor: Le Rire Médecin.
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