Mini Transat: Ian Lipinski wins Series fleet first stage

(September 27, 2015; Stage 1, Day 9) – Ian Lipinski (Entreprise(s) Innovante(s)) winner of the Series Class on the first stage of the Mini Transat Iles de Guadeloupe, crossed the finish line today at 6h01m24s (UT+2).

Sailing the Bertrand-design Mini, the solo skipper took 7 days 14 hours 31 minutes and 24 seconds from Douarnenez to Lanzarote sailing at an average speed of 6,82 knots.

After the start on September 19, the skipper from Lorient took the lead of the series class on the 22nd of September just near Finisterre and held on to it right to the finish.

“I feel really good, the leg was just incredible. We had a perfect weather, we are going to pay for it on the second leg, it was beautiful. I had lots of good moments. For me the best was when it got calmer and the temperature started rising: the great happiness. At the beginning, I cried, I saw the race lost. Tanguy (Tanguy le Turquais (Terreal), pushed me to keep going. Then I was with the leaders group and then leading the series class and I was so much better.”

Race website – Race program – Tracker

Report by race media.

Background: For the 20th edition and for the second time, the Mini Transat – Îles de Guadeloupe returns to its origins with a start from Douarnenez (France). The Breton harbour will see the fleet of 72 solo sailors set off on September 19 to Lanzarote (Canary Islands), where the Mini 6.50 will complete stage one of the race. The second stage will start on October 31, taking the fleet across the Atlantic to finish some three weeks later in Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe). The 2,700 nautical mile race from France to the Caribbean is the longest solo race for the smallest of boats.