Launch date closer for Mini Transat

La Rochelle, France (September 26, 2019) – The situation is becoming clearer for the 87 solo sailors in the Mini-Transat La Boulangère who have been postponed since September 22 for the start of the first leg (La Rochelle to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria). The fleet of Mini 6.50s, a powered-up 21-footer, have been held back due to boat-breaking storms. The plan now is get underway either September 28 or 29, with the definitive start date to be finalized tomorrow.

“A weather window is opening up and we’re keen to snap it up,” explains Denis Hugues, Race Director, who notes how a front is set to sweep the Bay of Biscay overnight on Saturday (Sept. 28) and through into Sunday and it is the assessment regarding the evolution of the trajectory that will guide the definitive choice of start date.

“If the race sets off on Saturday, we’ll reserve the possibility of setting waypoints to the North of Spain to ‘bring the competitors down’ and avoid the most boisterous conditions. If the race starts on Sunday, conditions will be more sustained in the bay of La Rochelle, but the front will have rolled through the Bay of Biscay so there won’t be any need for a waypoint.”

Whether the race starts on September 28 or 29, the sailors will have to negotiate another front rolling through on October 1. “However, it’ll be less active with less violent gusts and waves and hence more manageable conditions,” explains Hugues.

With regards to Tropical Storm Lorenzo, all the weather models are in agreement about it climbing northwards. As such, concern has been raised about the course of the first leg of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère.

The Mini 6.50, a noted offwind flyer, struggles upwind due to the design trends promoting scow hull shapes to maximize surfing performance. It is not known how this delay will impact the start of Leg 2.

Event details – Entry list – Facebook

Race Format:
The first leg begins September 22 (now postponed) from La Rochelle, France and extends 1350 nm to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. After an often complicated exit of the Bay of Biscay, sailors will expect some long slips down the Portuguese coast before arriving after 7 to 10 days in the Canary archipelago.

The second leg will start November 1 (may be postponed) from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and will take from 15 to 20 sailing days to complete the 2700 nm course and reach Le Marin in Martinique, French West Indies. Due to the numerous islands, the restart from the Canary can be tricky before reaching the famous trade winds that offer a long downwind run.

Source: Effetsmer