Start of Mini Transat confirmed for Tuesday

(October 28, 2013) – The weather will finally allow the fleet of 84 Mini Class singlehanders to leave the shores of Brittany for the start of the biennial Mini Transat on October 29. The start for the first leg from France to the Canary Islands was originally planned for October 13.

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.

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 6.5 meter boats. Race Director Denis Hughes reminded the fleet today 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.

While the fleet was pleased to learn of the confirmed start day, there remained concern due to the news today that 15 “boxes” from a container ship between Cape Finisterre and Ushant had been lost overboard. The Race Director is in contact with the Maritime Authorities in order to clarify the position 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

The Mini Transat is divided into two legs:
Leg 1 – Douarnenez to Puerto Calero (Lanzarote, Canary Islands): 1257 miles, 10-13 days.
Leg 2 – Puerto Calero to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe: 2764 miles, 14-21 days.

It is not yet known when Leg 2 will start.

Event website: www.minitransat.fr

Source: Information edited from event media distribution.