Mini Transat
Killing time

From Gijon to Sada, the Ministes are in the queue to go. The little colony has organised itself with typicl good humour and is prepared to wait it out while watching for a favourable weather window.

The experiences of theose arriving after this first leg have varied considerably depending on how far to the west they were in in the Bay of Biscay, their reservers and resourcefulness to cope with this unexpected period ashore and their ability to deal with the the speed with which the situation is changing.

It’s hard to imagine all the little annoyances caused by the impromptu stop. When the Ministes left for this first stage they had just a few essential changes of clothes for life at sea … What they had with them was simple and functional, but not necessarily ideally adapted to life ashore. The stopover in Gijon has changed the game, especially for those who were relying on their families to have things organised for them in Lanzarote at the end of this first leg. As a result it’s been necessary to get organised. Working on the principal that we are never stronger than when we work together, the Ministes have taken over (with the generous agreement of the club) the premises of the Clube Naval de Gijon and have unearthed some local gems. A sort of boarding house with dormitories has been requisitioned for the fleet, competitors have come together in groups working together to purchases underwear, socks and other items of clothing where they needed local language. This curious new gang attracts some curious glances in the streets of the Asturian port, but at least they are dry. And the local tapas bars are experiencing an unexpected windfall in early November.

An soon there will be six is Sada

The five single handers who had managed to make it to Sada should soon be joined by Stan Maslard, who is trucking his boat there by road. Following the international rules, the first leg was abandoned and there is nothing to stop the competitors who dropped out of the first attempt from coming to the new start line. The leg from Douarnenez to Sada no longer exists, all decisions regarding this section of the course should be considered null and void. The return of Stan, and perhaps some other competitors in the same situation, sets a precedent for the organisation of the Mini Transat. For now, the competitors are obviously torn between the pleasure of seeing their colleagues, who made a huge comitment to the race, have the opportunity to continue chasing their dreams; and feeling slightly uncomfortable about them being placed on an equal footing despite the fact that they have not crossed the Bay of Biscay in the at times harsh conditions, putting their equipment to the test as others have had to. Dura lex, sed lex … (it’s harsh, but it’s the law).

PFB

Mini Transat
Hurry up and wait

• The majority of the fleet is on standby in Gijon
• A new start at the earliest opportunity from Sada
• The passage from Gijon to Sada will take place as soon as weather conditions permit

They are almost all there. With the exception of two or three competitors still at sea, the entire fleet of the Mini Transat is now warm and dry, either in the marina at Sada, or in the port of Gijon. The start will be from Sada as soon as the 76 boats still racing have been able to rally at the Galician port. A weather window is opening from Tuesday 5.

Taking into consideration the legitimate disappointment of the competitors who were able to complete the course for this first stage between Douarnenez and Sada, the differing skill levels of the sailors in a class which is by by definition diverse, and the constraints of the particularly hostile weather, the decision to cancel the first stage was not easy. Among all these parameters, it is obvious that the safety of sailors is paramount. It was also necessary to find shelter for a fleet of over 70 boats. The links between Douarnenez and Club Naval de Gijon, and the responsiveness of the harbour master of the Asturian marina, actively supported by the City of Gijon, have been crucial to the success of the operation.

Gijon to Sada – the Cantabrian ride
Tonight, almost the entire fleet will be safe in Gijon, with the exception of five prototypes that are at the marina in Sada. Logic dictates that it is the fleet held in Gijon that must regroup in Sada in order to start. This is partly because the estuary at Sada is in an ideal strategic position from which to pass Cape Finisterre, but also because it would be a kind of double jeopardy to ask the five solo sailors who had managed to complete the course to backtrack east to Gijon. A weather window seems to be emerging during the day on Tuesday that would allow competitors to come to the starting line in convoy. It will then take four to six days of racing to reach Lanzarote where the technical stopover whould be shortened drastically to try to reclaim at least part of the time lost on the road to the West Indies.

What they say :

Nicolas Boidevezi (Nature Addicts)
“The decision to abandon the stage did not really follow the formal approach. However the goal was to get all boats to safety before the storm hits the fleet today. This is what the Race Director was doing in passing the message of the break via the support boats. For sure this is not a decision that’s good to hear, but at the same time, the difficulty for the organisation is to take into account all 84 competitors, from first to last.”

Bertrand Delesne (TeamWork)
“I found the start of the race was hard. In the bay, it was gusting up to 25 knots. We hadn’t sailed for a month so it was a little tough. The passage through the Raz de Sein went well but there were big puffs coming down. I thought it was pretty boat-breaking. I didn’t want to push the boat too hard at that moment. I had a feeling that we could be in the bullshit.”

Robin Marais (Marcel for Ever)
“The start was very stressful because of the weather conditions. I’d not managed to pick up the weather with the SSB. But after discussion on VHF with other sailors who had questions about the weather, I saw a lot began to turn around and I decided to accompany them. I did not want to be on my own out there. I didn’t have much more than thirty knots of wind, but the sea was really big. ”

Arnaud Daval (Techneau)
“It was not easy conditions. We knew at the outset that the conditions would be difficult, which the technical problems of some of the others reflected. I didn’t want to push the boat too hard, I tried to maintain my equipment. For me the Transat is not finished at Cape Finisterre so if I want to make it to the end, we have to look after our mounts. I paid attention to this and I did not break anything. When the cancellation of the race was announced, I pulled on the tiller and went back towards Gijon.”

Mini Transat – Entering into difficult territory

• A start in squally conditions
• A boost through the Raz de Sein
• Several retirements during the first few hours

It is never easy to start 84 Minis in a breeze with a well-established swell. It is even less easy if the weather forecasts impose tight timings on a fleet that had remained trapped in the port of Douarnenez for more than two weeks. The start of the Mini Transat has not failed the tradition with a lot of twists and turns.

It was the sort of start we all love, with plenty to spice up the action: some ocean swell, some busts powerful enough to remind everyone that ultimately the sea can be an unforgiving mistress, a sumptuous landscape, and an exit through the Mer d’Iroise, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. At the entrance of the Raz de Sein, the Minis could begin to unleash. The gennakers quickly flourished and it was at more than ten knots that the fleet leaders crossed the symbolic threshold and penetrated into the Bay of Biscay.

Unsurprisingly, there were some familiar faces to be found at the forefront: in the prototypes where Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian) demonstrated the power of his unusual prototype, only trailing behind Nicolas Boidevezi (Nature Addict) who took a more direct straight line route. Positioned to weather Gwénolé Gahinet (Watever-Logways) profited from the opportunity to take the lead. But their little world is separated by only a few miles and from the leading group back to Sébastien Picault (Kickers) in eleventh there are less than five miles difference in distance to the goal.

In the series boats, the suspense is intense. After Renaud Mary (www.runo.fr) is Justine Mettraux (TeamWork) who led the fleet to the Raz de Sein before Ian Lipinski (Pas de futur sans Numérique) claimed a lead of respectively 0.2 miles and then 0.3 miles to Mary Renaud and Aymeric Belloir (Tout le Monde chante contre le Cancer). Again, the differences are very small since Damien Cloarec (Lomig) in seventh place is just 1.4 miles astern of the race leaders.

Misfortune at sea
For others, the Mini Transat is proving to be a hard road to tread. For some, it is all about getting into the rhythm of a race that started at an unbridled pace. This is the case for the Australian Katrina Ham (Seanergy) and Italian Federico Cuciuc (Your Sail) who are already more than 12 miles behind after less than seven hours of racing. Others will not have the good fortune to be able to compete with their fellow travellers. For example Craig Horsfield (Naked Retreat) had to abandon due to a collision with Annabelle Boudinot. The young skipper of Agro 650 was finally able to leave after an express pit stop in Douarnenez, which put a little balm on the heart of Craig who was at fault in the incident. Arnaud Etchandy (Ipar Hego) has fallen victim to various technical problems and, like Craig Horsfield, estimated that the time needed for repairs did not allow him to leave in safe conditions. Bert Bossyns (Netwerk) reached the same conclusion having returned to Douarnenez at 17:00 with his solent jib completely torn. The Belgian was navigating through big swells and was unlucky to see his headsail pierced by a tree branch exposed between two waves. Finally, Bruno Simonnet (El Nono) was forced to retire for medical reasons as he is experiencing reduced movement in one of his arms.

Two other sailors are currently heading back to Douarnenez. The Spaniard Carlos Lysancos (Reyno de Navarra) is facing serious problems with his autopilot following a collision after the start. Stan Maslard (Sefico Group), meanwhile, seems to have bad luck : after breaking the support cylinder of his autopilot just before the start, the Sablais navigator still had the bit between his teeth and returned to see once repairs were completed. After two hours of racing, Stan was forced to turn back again because of a problem with his rig. Having invested so much of his time to be forced to return to the dock twice … this is one of those days when luck seems to have deserted the ranks.

Last minute: Delcroix – Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque dismasted
At 17:47 Arthur Leopold Leger asked assistance from the organisation of the Mini Transat. At 17:57 he triggered his distress beacon. The PSP Cormorant went immediately to the position of the signal to find that Delcroix – Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque was dismasted and leaking. Arthur Leopold Leger was recovered by the PSP Cormorant. He is in good health.

Mini Transat – Entering into difficult territory

• A start in squally conditions
• A boost through the Raz de Sein
• Several retirements during the first few hours

It is never easy to start 84 Minis in a breeze with a well-established swell. It is even less easy if the weather forecasts impose tight timings on a fleet that had remained trapped in the port of Douarnenez for more than two weeks. The start of the Mini Transat has not failed the tradition with a lot of twists and turns.

It was the sort of start we all love, with plenty to spice up the action: some ocean swell, some busts powerful enough to remind everyone that ultimately the sea can be an unforgiving mistress, a sumptuous landscape, and an exit through the Mer d’Iroise, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. At the entrance of the Raz de Sein, the Minis could begin to unleash. The gennakers quickly flourished and it was at more than ten knots that the fleet leaders crossed the symbolic threshold and penetrated into the Bay of Biscay.

Unsurprisingly, there were some familiar faces to be found at the forefront: in the prototypes where Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian) demonstrated the power of his unusual prototype, only trailing behind Nicolas Boidevezi (Nature Addict) who took a more direct straight line route. Positioned to weather Gwénolé Gahinet (Watever-Logways) profited from the opportunity to take the lead. But their little world is separated by only a few miles and from the leading group back to Sébastien Picault (Kickers) in eleventh there are less than five miles difference in distance to the goal.

In the series boats, the suspense is intense. After Renaud Mary (www.runo.fr) is Justine Mettraux (TeamWork) who led the fleet to the Raz de Sein before Ian Lipinski (Pas de futur sans Numérique) claimed a lead of respectively 0.2 miles and then 0.3 miles to Mary Renaud and Aymeric Belloir (Tout le Monde chante contre le Cancer). Again, the differences are very small since Damien Cloarec (Lomig) in seventh place is just 1.4 miles astern of the race leaders.

Misfortune at sea
For others, the Mini Transat is proving to be a hard road to tread. For some, it is all about getting into the rhythm of a race that started at an unbridled pace. This is the case for the Australian Katrina Ham (Seanergy) and Italian Federico Cuciuc (Your Sail) who are already more than 12 miles behind after less than seven hours of racing. Others will not have the good fortune to be able to compete with their fellow travellers. For example Craig Horsfield (Naked Retreat) had to abandon due to a collision with Annabelle Boudinot. The young skipper of Agro 650 was finally able to leave after an express pit stop in Douarnenez, which put a little balm on the heart of Craig who was at fault in the incident. Arnaud Etchandy (Ipar Hego) has fallen victim to various technical problems and, like Craig Horsfield, estimated that the time needed for repairs did not allow him to leave in safe conditions. Bert Bossyns (Netwerk) reached the same conclusion having returned to Douarnenez at 17:00 with his solent jib completely torn. The Belgian was navigating through big swells and was unlucky to see his headsail pierced by a tree branch exposed between two waves. Finally, Bruno Simonnet (El Nono) was forced to retire for medical reasons as he is experiencing reduced movement in one of his arms.

Two other sailors are currently heading back to Douarnenez. The Spaniard Carlos Lysancos (Reyno de Navarra) is facing serious problems with his autopilot following a collision after the start. Stan Maslard (Sefico Group), meanwhile, seems to have bad luck : after breaking the support cylinder of his autopilot just before the start, the Sablais navigator still had the bit between his teeth and returned to see once repairs were completed. After two hours of racing, Stan was forced to turn back again because of a problem with his rig. Having invested so much of his time to be forced to return to the dock twice … this is one of those days when luck seems to have deserted the ranks.

Last minute: Delcroix – Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque dismasted
At 17:47 Arthur Leopold Leger asked assistance from the organisation of the Mini Transat. At 17:57 he triggered his distress beacon. The PSP Cormorant went immediately to the position of the signal to find that Delcroix – Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque was dismasted and leaking. Arthur Leopold Leger was recovered by the PSP Cormorant. He is in good health.

Mini Transat – Start Confirmed for Tuesday 29 October
From Finistere to Finisterre

• The start of the Mini Transat is confirmed for Tuesday 29 October at 09.00
• Competitors balance wanting to start and legitimate caution
• A passage around Cape Finisterre is always difficult to negotiate

It’s on … The weather will finally allow the fleet of 84 Minis to leave the shores of Brittany. Although the crossing of the Bay of Biscay should be completed safely, the passage around Cape Finisterre could be tricky for the final competitors. However, it by far the best conditions for the past two weeks.

They are torn. On the one hand, they all want to escape from Douarnenez despite the quality of the welcome of the Cornouaillais port and its inhabitants . But at the same time, the road ahead is not going to be a bed of roses. The main obstacle on the way to Lanzarote, is in the vicinity of Cape Finisterre, as their arrival there may coincide with a strengthening in the wind of up to 30 knots. Conditions that will be far from comfortable, but that should not be an insurmountable obstacle for the fleet of Minis. However, Denis Hughes, the Race Director, reminded everyone during the weather briefing on Monday night, that each competitor has the right to stop for 48 hours in a port of his choice, as stated in the sailing instructions.

To cross the Bay of Biscay, the fleet is expected to start in a regime of northwesterly which will quickly die down before moving into a westerly dominant sector. Friday night to Saturday should be more difficult to negotiate for the Ministes who are still in the vicinity of Cape Finisterre in a regime of strong southwesterlies. But the winds will turn quickly to the north-west and then should gradually ease off on the run into the Canaries. More difficult to handle is news that came in today, namely the loss of 15 “boxes” from a container ship between Cape Finisterre and Ushant. The Race Director is in contact with the the Maritime Authorities in order to clarify the positition of the containers and communicate this to the competitors.

Timing of Departure:
– 6:30 start check in and deposit of cell phones
– 7:00 to 8:00 depart from the pontoons in Tréboul
– 9:00 Warning signal for the Douarnenez to Lanzarote leg.
– The starting line will be set before l’île Tristan and will be visible from the pier Tréboul .

How to follow the first hours of the race:
– On social networks : Twitter and Facebook
– Twitter : @MiniTransa2013 and #MiniTransat
– Facebook : Mini Transat
– During the first ten miles of the race, the position chart will be updated every ten minutes.
– On the home page of the site, watch the passage through the Raz de Sein using the Sémaphore webcam of the Pointe du Raz.

Mini Transat – Start Postponed
The Mini Transat goes to Code Green

• A start early this week is confirmed
• Competitors mobilised on Sunday
• Taking maximum profit from the northwesterly regime

Paradoxically, it is at the moment that the storm will be at its strongest as it sweeps the tip of Brittany that the competitors of the Mini Transat will gather to prepare for their departure once the bad weather passes. The start is scheduled for Tuesday morning or Monday night if conditions permit.

The traditional 18.00 weather briefing was charged with electricity on Sunday evening. Because, obviously, the time has finally come for the Minis go stretch their keels and head southwest to Lanzarote. The first hours of the race should take place in a strong wind from the northwest, which will allow the singlhanders to quickly eat through the first few miles of the race. Then the wind will in fact ease, before an expected return to a stronger southwesterly regim as they round Cape Finisterre in the afternoon of Friday, November 1. Hence the desire of the organisers to start the race as soon as possible, in order to minimise the impact of this transition on the sailors.

It is therefore possible that the fleet will leave Port Rhu on Monday late morning to regroup at Treboul, ready to be operational at the earliest opportunity. So the orange code just went green code.