The sun was setting behind the ramparts of Saint-Malo on one side. On the other, waves crashed onto the Sillon beach.
As the skippers were presented to the public, the elements already seemed to be closing in around them, almost an omen of what lies ahead on the Atlantic.
But before crossing swords with the ocean, there was time for one last dose of energy from a crowd that turned out in force to cheer them on.
The two vintage classes opened proceedings, followed by the Class40 fleet. On stage, each sailor was joined by a child clutching an origami boat, a small paper vessel carrying a dream, handed to the skipper to carry out to sea. No doubt some of those children have already written down their own wish to start the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe in a few years' time. As Sasha Laniece (Alderan) put it: "Believe in yourself and believe in your dreams."
Judging crowd noise alone was no easy task. Still, the Saint-Malo based Ocean Fifty sailors seemed to have the edge, struggling to leave the stage as several stopped for selfies with fans.
When the IMOCA class took their turn, there was no contest. Violette Dorange drew the loudest reception by far, the same sailor who, just four years ago, walked that very stage searching for sponsors. She now races proudly under the colours of Initiatives Coeur.
Then came a fired-up Alexia Barrier, bursting onto the stage to represent the Ultim class, flanked by the other seven skippers in the fleet. The event mascot, Tymal, had just made off with the class trophy, only for Charles Caudrelier, the class's leading figure, to chase it down and reclaim it, if only for a few more days. The trophy is up for grabs again this edition, and even though the skipper of the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild intends to defend his title, he was quick to admit: "Anything is possible on a Route du Rhum."
