The 15 Wauquiez yachts that rallied Ile d'Yeu on the atlantic coast of France last Thursday met rather uncomfortable conditions : Big seas for those sailing south, beating in 25 to 30 knots winds for those sailing north…it is an understatement to say that all were quite happy to reach Port Joinville for this 1st "Escale Wauquiez", and the warm welcome of the harbour staff certainly also helped.

Early in the evening, everyone enjoyed the oyster bar and local tuna terrine served on the harbour office terrace, and all hands were on deck after a good night's sleep the next morning to sail around the island.

The yachts took a staggered start in the Friday morning thick fog, and the Pilot Saloons and Centurions arrived within a half hour of each other, confirming once again that if you have more than one sailboat on the water, a cruise immediately becomes a race…

All then gathered for a convivial dinner, during which Charles Henri Wauquiez (son of the company's founder Henri Wauquiez), who sailed one of the 2 Centurion 32s present in Ile d'Yeu, explained how much he enjoyed this event which he considered as truly representative of the "Wauquiez spirit" his father was so much attached to. Everyone agreed (sometimes quite late in the morning) that it would be a shame to miss the next ones!

The 1st "Escale Wauquiez Atlantique" ended Saturday morning after enjoying a " croissants and pains au chocolat " breakfast, before all yachts sailed back to their respective ports of call...in the fog!