Mini Transat – Waiting

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Mini Transat 2013 Press Release
Pointe-à-Pitre, 5 December 2013

Mini Transat – Douarnenez to Pointe-a-Pitre

Waiting

It’s a day of respite in the Mini Transat village. Today, everyone is waiting for the arrival of Justine Mettraux (TeamWork) who is still more than a hundred miles from the finish in the 16.00 (GMT +1) ranking report. On land, families and friends of the skippers try to suppress their impatience …

Its not easy when you have a loved one on the water, to ignore the bursts of anxiety that sometimes arise, not to show your irritation as their speed of approach slows, not to yield to the temptation to ask four times day for an estimated time of arrival of a competitor who has been pointed for five days at the finish line. For the pleasure of being at sea and the adventure of solitary living can only be shared once one returns ashore. Single handed racing remains a selfish passion that relatives can live only by proxy. So to kill time, you tour the butterfly island, you live as expediently as possible … But no rest.

Next arrivals during the night of Thursday to Friday

On the water, Justine Mettraux should finish tonight around 5 am local time (10.00 GMT +1). She should be followed during the day by Simon Koster (Go 4 It) before the bulk of the troops are led in by Nicolas Boidevezi (Nature Addicts ) whose arrival in Pointe -a-Pitre will open the flood gates to clear the traffic jam over the weekend. From Renaud Mary (www.runo.fr) in fourth, to Eric Cochet ( Abers & Co ) in thirteenth among the series boats, there is only 150 miles of separation or twenty hours of sailing. When we include the prototypes of Michele Zambelli (Fontanot), Annabelle Boudinot (Agro 650) and Alan Roura (Navman), twelve boats should cross the finish line from Saturday evening. Others are still far off. Eric Jezegou (Déphémérides Am2I ) is currently more than 1000 miles from the finish and still has 6-7 days at sea. On a very southerly route, he surely hopes that the trade winds, theoretically stronger in the southern latitudes, will enable him to make up some time. The Mini Transat is a school of patience for both those who are at sea and those who are waiting.

Cegelec / Eurovia Ranking (prototypes) at 16.00 (GMT +1)
7. Nicolas Boidevezi (719 – Nature Addicts) with 343 nm to finish
8. Louis Segré (679 – Roll my Chicken) + 76.4 nm
9. Michele Zambelli (342 – Fontanot) + 133.9 nm
10. Annabelle Boudinot (791 – Agro650) + 138.9 nm
11. Alan Roura (284 – Navman) + 166.8 nm

Yslab Ranking (series boats) at 16.00 (GMT +1)
2. Justine Mettraux (824 – TeamWork) with 116.3 nm to finish
3. Simon Koster (819 – Go 4 it) + 82.5 nm
4. Renaud Mary (http://www.runo.fr) + 349.3 nm
5. Jean-Baptiste Lemaire (L’œuvre du Marin Breton) + 381.3 nm
5. Alberto Bona (Onelinesim.it) + 388.3 nm

The full ranking list is available here

English language video interviews with Benoit Marie, Giancarlo Pedote and Aymeric Belloir are now available on Mini Transat TV.

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Published by Richard Hewson

Richard Hewson is a Tasmania-based ships captain, marine surveyor, and experienced sailor with a lifelong connection to the sea. With experience in project management and vessel commissioning, he has operated and raced a wide range of vessels—from dinghies and Maxi yachts to tankers, icebreakers and research vessels. Richard has competed in major offshore events including the Sydney to Hobart, Fastnet, Middle Sea, and Transatlantic races including the Mini Transat. In 2012, he skippered the winning yacht in the Clipper Round the World Race. He has sailed to every continent and explored all corners of the world from Antarctica to south pacific atols and recently completed a three-year family voyage from the Netherlands to Tasmania. Richard holds a Master Class 1 (unrestricted), RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, Engineering (1200kw) and commercial diving certifications, and is an AMSA-accredited marine surveyor. He is also affiliated with the Australasian Institutes of Marine Surveyors and is passionate about all things that float.

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