The DRHEAM-TROPHY, prologue of the DRHEAM-CUP / GRAND PRIX DE FRANCE DE COURSE AU LARGE, will take place on Saturday, starting at 14:00 for a ten nautical mile course. An opportunity for 25 young people from Cherbourg to experience the race from the inside and take in this fifth edition’s impressive fleet.
Since the official opening of the DRHEAM-CUP / GRAND PRIX DE FRANCE DE COURSE AU LARGE village on Thursday morning, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin has come alive with activities on the Plage Verte esplanade, as well as preparations for the race that will leave from the Cotentin peninsula on Monday, heading to La Trinité-sur-Mer.
As for every edition since 2016, the main race will be preceded by a prologue, the DRHEAM-TROPHY, during which the Rêves de Large operation will take place. In the spirit of sharing and transmission, the event consists in inviting 25 young people aged 11 to 15 from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and the surrounding area to experience the prologue from the inside, on one of the boats taking part.
The conditions for the DRHEAM-TROPHY 2024 will be ideal, the sky will clear as the day goes on, with moderate 8 to 10 knot west-north-west winds, perfect for beginners. The fleet will leave Port Chantereyne from midday, for two starts in Becquet Bay. The first from 14:00, for the Class40, Multi 2000 and Large Monohulls, the second at 14:15 for IRC crewed and double handed, as well as the Sun Fast One Design class.
Competitors will have a short leg leading up to Coffre du Becquet, leaving it to port, before sailing along the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin forts and passing a buoy anchored off Querqueville beach and heading to the finishing line between Fort Chavagnac and the light of the Fort de l’Ouest (western fort), in all approximately ten nautical miles.
The public will be able to watch the boats from many viewpoints – Becquet Port, La Saline, Tourlaville and Querqueville beaches, before celebrating with the winners and participants in the Rêves de Large event during the DRHEAM-TROPHY prizegiving ceremony in the race village at 18:30.The party will continue in the evening, with a great blind-test quiz at 19:30 and James McQueen’s DJ set at 21:00!