Route du Rhum : imminent departure : 2 PM
History and track record 1978 : The Transat of Liberty As its creator, Michel Etévenon, intended, the first Route du Rhum was the transat of freedom. Monohulls and multihulls were mixed without class divisions and without size restrictions. Professionals and amateurs competed under the same rules and all outside aids to navigation were allowed on an open course. What to remember from 1978: The first transatlantic to overthrow conventional wisdom. Thirty-eight competitors started the race, barely a quarter of them on racing boats. Olivier de Kersauson, Philippe Poupon, Florence Arthaud and Bruno Peyron were among those who set sail. French…