"Allagrande Mapei" returned to Lorient on the evening of Monday, May 25, after three days of solo sailing. Having departed on Friday, May 22, the boat covered approximately 800 miles to Cape Finisterre in Spain — thus completing the necessary qualification to participate in the Vendée Arctique on June 7.
The sailing began with light winds in the Bay of Biscay. Then the wind picked up, and "Allagrande Mapei" responded: a full day sailing at an average of around 25 knots, the first concrete sensations of how the boat performs solo.
Three important days for the entire team, who gathered valuable information. "Allagrande Mapei" had sailed little since its launch on May 4, and this 800-mile trip was the first real high-intensity test after the winter refit. Every piece of data collected, every problem identified, every adjustment found fuels the preparation for the start.
However, there's an even more personal dimension to this sailing. It was Ambrogio's first solo trip on "Allagrande Mapei" — and his first solo trip on any boat in two years, since arriving in New York. An important moment, away from the pressures of competition. Finding his own rhythms, his own routine, the silence.
A small adventure that comes at just the right time: the Vendée Arctique starts in about ten days.
«Qualifier done. The conditions were interesting — there was no wind on arrival, but it was a good way to learn, to spend some time alone. It had been two years since I last sailed solo, since arriving in New York for The Transat CIC. And what's more, on this boat, which is a very special boat — IMOCAs aren't exactly normal, so it was absolutely necessary. Now I feel much more ready to head towards the Arctic Circle. I must say there's still a lot of work for me to do to truly become the skipper of this boat — but for now, we're getting to know each other.»
— Ambrogio Beccaria, upon arrival in Lorient
