G'day,

I received the following from one of the administrators of the Classe
50 multihull organisation. Given that the OSTAR organisers and ISAF
are dead set against proas (for very ill defined reasons), it is good
to see the French daring to explore new possibilities.

I wish to inform you that if you are willing to race the Route du
Rhum 2010 they is a possibility for you and your boat.

The only thing to make sure is that your boat confirm with the Class 50' Open's
rules, to become a member of the Class and to have the boat surveyed to
obtain a Class certificate ( http://www.50pieds.org ).

Sunday night at the prize giving of the Trophé Malo (Class 50' Open meeting) I
started a discussion with Hervé Cléris (Class President - skipper Prince de
Bretagne) and Franck-Yves Escoffier (Vice-President - skipper Crêpes Whaou)
about proas.
We all agreed, if a proa confirm within our Class rules, he will be allow to
race any event of the class ... and the Route du Rhum is one of them.

I want to point that next october the technical commitee (in which I take
part)will improve this rule so if you a special view to express regarding the
proas, do send me your remarks.

My message is not to force you to change your plans but to inform you of a
certain evolution regarding the possibility of racing a proa singlehanded.

Good luck with your project and if you need anything just get in touch.
Regards.

Marc Pardailhé-Galabrun
Class 50' Open administrator
end quote
This would be an incredible opportunity for a sponsor or for a
wannabee sailor looking for a low cost, high profile entry in a high
profile event, as even if the proa did not win (debatable, happy to
discuss it ;-)) it would certainly get the lion's share of the
publicity pre race.

regards,

Rob