Photo by Peter Marsh
A tremendous fleet 84 MINI 6.5m (21′) designs is set to start the solo Mini Transat starting in Brittany, France as soon as the weather off Spain looks better. All the boats are built to the maximum beam of 3m(9’10”) and draft 2m (6’6″) and have rotating bowsprits and huge sailplans. We’ll be following the race closely.
And from race organizers:
Having been unable to leave, the Ministes have returned to their home base in Port Rhu. Sheltered behind the lock, the 84 competitors continue to be patient . For now, the situation is not dramatic. The Lanzarote stopover was intended to be three weeks long so the only risk is that it will be shorter than originally planned .
“Until the middle of next week, we still do not need to make any changes to the start plans for the second leg … ” explains Denis Hughes, Race Director , a one week stopover in Lanzarote is quite sufficient to restore the boats and rebuild the competitors’ health before crossing the Atlantic. So just be patient.
Meanwhile, some of the Ministes are still tinkering, for those who live nearby its an opportunity to return home, and everyone consults the race website to ensure that the red flag still flies on the pole.
After a briefing last night the 84 Mini 6.50s skippers, including seasoned British Mini skipper Pip Hare, were told that the start of the Mini Transat could be delayed for up to another 10 days due to the conditions.
Ed Note: You can follow local Pacific Northwest sailor Craig Horsfield at his Facebook page or www.craighorsfieldracing.com.
