The 52nd edition of the Translémanique en Solitaire confirms its appeal, with no fewer than 129 competitors registered. Raced over a theoretical course of 125 kilometers from Geneva to the Vieux-Rhône and back, the race will once again bring together the best sailors on Lake Geneva, as well as those looking for an ambitious personal challenge.
In addition to the two prestigious trophies awarded each year, the “Tuiga” Challenge (to the winner in compensated time) and the “Dragon Challenge” (to the winner in real time), a special prize will be awarded to the first woman in the compensated time ranking: the Ella Maillart Challenge. “Despite this new trophy designed to promote female participation, there will unfortunately be only five women on the starting line”, regrets Manuel Schmidt, President of the Organizing Committee. “We believe, however, that this award has its place and hope that it will help to attract more women in the future.”
The winners of each class (according to the SRS rules) will also be celebrated, as will the winners of the one-design classes featuring more than ten competitors.
The best-represented category will once again be the Surprises, with 37 boats on the starting line. There will also be nine Esse850 one-designs and as many Grand-Surprises.
“The Translémanique en Solitaire confirms its status as an emblematic regatta of Lake Geneva; it is certainly one of the most demanding, but also the most coveted races on our lake,” says Manuel Schmidt, President of the Organizing Committee. “The registered sailors all know their boats, the lake and the weather. They know that a small problem can quickly get out of hand. Our watchwords for this edition will be caution and fair play.”
Among the real-time favorites are eight Psaros33 monohulls and one Psaros 40, François Thorens’ Cellmen ARDENTIS, already a winner in 2017, 2020, 2022 and 2023. Alexander de Weck will be at the helm of the Luthi 1090 Katana. Second in 2022, eighth in 2023 and absent last year, he’s eagerly awaiting his moment.
The weather forecast for the weekend is dynamic, with a moderate westerly wind which should fade as the day progresses, while the cloud cover will dissipate to make way for “fairly sunny” weather, according to MeteoSwiss.