It is now official. The letter we have all been waiting for from Class Mini in Lorient France has arrived informing Richard Hewson that he is now officially qualified to race in the 2013 Mini Transat Race.
"This is a dream come true, and one I have been working hard to achieve since 2007. It has been a long hard (but very fun) road to this point and I am very happy that the qualification has been accepted"
After nearly 5000nm of sailing in the Mini 816 since September last year including over 1500nm of racing, 1500nm of qualification passage, and over 2000nm of training and delivery the qualifiaction is well deserved.
"My plans now are to refit the boat in Palma and try to raise the funds to get the boat to France and race in the French Mini Fastnett which I am already entered in prior to making final preperations and group training ahead of the 2013 Transatantic race".
Richard is supported Nico, Brett and the team from RG650 and Katabatic Sailing who have lent him the boat for the season and by Australian clothing manufacturer Zhik, and UK manufacturer Spinlock for clothing and safety equipment and he is determined to start the 2013 and get good results at all costs.
"While I will stop at nothing to compete in the 2013 Mini Transat, the difference between gaining a sponsor or not will be the difference in winning the race. The boat has proven itself to be faster than any other series class on the water in all conditions expected for the MIni Transat, and I will be training hard to explore every possiblity of making the boat go faster".
Check out my recent photos and video’s on Facebook and join the hewsonracing facebook page. You can also check out some cool video’s of Richa.rd sailing the RG on Youtube, and even download his Mini Transat sponsorship proposal from the hewsonracing.com website.