We all knew that the Mediterranean was changeable and confusing. Well, it certainly is. For a few days now, Guillaume Rottée and Estelle Gravelleau, members of the race committee, have been suspecting that the weather forecast for the western basin of the Mediterranean next week was going to give them headaches. The more precise outlook from Alix Roumagnac, from Prédict, partner of the MED MAX I Occitanie - Saïdia Resorts, confirmed the situation during the skippers' and co-skippers' briefing on Saturday morning. Not really caught off guard, then, and able to adapt quickly to the surprises of the Mediterranean, in agreement with Kito de Pavant, the two people in charge of the routes have changed the lines.

As far as the Ocean Fifty are concerned, the change has been the simplest: the nine multihulls will be taking the same route as the Class 40s: the Bouches de Bonifacio, down Eastern Sardinia, past Stromboli, then due west towards the Balearics, before 'descending' to Saïdia. "New route, a little shorter, more reasonable in terms of weather conditions", said Luke Berry (Le Rire Médecin Lamotte). "New course, new race, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the magic of our sport".said Thibaut Vauchel-Camus (Solidaires en Peloton).

For the Class40s, three options were on the table. In the end, Kito decided: the monohulls, after rounding the buoy at Sète, will head due south, practically on a 180, towards the island of Menorca, which they will leave to starboard before crossing the passage between Ibiza and Formentera. And still arriving in Saïdia, after the Zaffarines. "In the end, we're very happy to be going to Menorca. It means we'll be able to secure the finish in Saïdia in good time. And there'll be more action, so we'll have some chances with our old boats.said Mathieu Claveau (Prendre la Mer - Agir pour la forêt). While Corentin Douguet (Centrakor) was satisfied with "We're going to have to take this part of the race where there will be more wind. With Sardinia, we were heading for a wall. There will still be some action, with still two gates in the Balearics, which will allow the race directors to readjust if necessary.. These skippers are always happy to get out on the water anyway.