"It’s all happening in Brest. Since they arrived, the members of Team Rubson: Manu Bertin, Sebastien Cattelan, Marc Gondard and Christo Tasti (all French) have hardly had chance to catch breath. This afternoon the whole project gathered more pace, the team will leave Brest early Friday afternoon, destination the Lizard, England. The actual crossing will be made in the other direction, from England to France. Weather conditions in the Channel for the last few days are forcing team Rubson’s hand. “We’ve got to take this opportunity, our ‘window’ is short, from 1st – 14th September, and the forecast for Saturday 6th is ideal. Pierre Lasnier from MeteoMer predicts a north-westerly wind, starting at about 15 knots and building to around 25 knots during the day with a favourable current. These are great conditions for the challenge. We can’t afford the luxury of missing this opportunity because there might not be another one along in time.†The four riders and their team leave Brest on Friday afternoon aboard Ocean Alchemist, Olivier de Kersauson’s motorised trimaran, heading for Lizard Point at the extreme south west tip of the UK, arriving during Friday night. The crossing will therefore be reversed but just as intense, which is exciting the team. “We’re really happy because we’re going to be crossing between two legendary points: Lizard Point, the arrival point for all trans-Atlantic records, and the lighthouse at Creac’h on Ouessant, the start – finish point for all the round the world sailing races. And we’re chuffed to be finishing ‘at home’ in France, that definitely helps!†declares Manu Bertin, visibly relieved to be on the verge of executing the challenge he’s organised." TransManche 2003