Richard Hewson

Mini Transat – Douarnenez to Pointe-a-Pitre

Merry tropics

• The first five prototypes are reunited in Point-a-Pitre
• Aymeric Belloir is 150 miles from the finish
• The trades are finally back

This is the time of reunion in Pointe-à-Pitre. Through the arriving solo sailors, we discover different perceptions of a race that everyone unanimously considers particularly selective. While the first prototypes celebrate mission accomplished, the fleet of series boats is finally tasting the pleasure of sailing in the trade winds …

After the arrival of Benedict Marie and Giancarlo Pedote came Rémi Fermin (Boreal) who finally completed the podium. The skipper from La Grande Motte is the image of his boat : small, no frills. However, he had some reason to be proud of his achievements. On this boat that he imagined, he drew her plans before building her with his own hands, he demonstrated the virtues of simplicity. A few hours later, it was the turn of Bertrand Delesne (TeamWork Proto) to enter the Marina Bas du Fort . The man that almost all observers designated as one of the favorites for the Mini Transat did not seek to make excuses, admitting only that he had to dig as deep into his personal resources as ever before, finding things within himself he had never experienced previously. Bertrand Delesne’s quiet strength, was almost overwhelmed by the violence of the elements, which testifies to the toughness of the race. And finally it was Bruno Garcia (Sampaquita) who crossed the finish line. The Catalan navigator was particularly pleased to be in company again and he revelled in the company unable to stop himself sharing his sea stories. That this fifth place was achieve in a prototype built 15 years ago is proof that the pairing of boat and the sailor is an essential component in the success of a project. Between Bruno and his Sampaquita is a long love story, which begun after the 2003 Transat and has never wavered since. Julien Pulvé (MEXT -ICA ) should be next to come to the line tomorrow.

Series, the joys of a toboggan ride
Finally! They are there. The skippers still at sea have found the cumulus synonymus with the tradewinds. Aymeric Belloir (Tout le Monde chante contre le Cancer) still leads the way by means of the most precise routing. He is expected tomorrow at mid- day Pointe-à- Pitre (Guadeloupe time) . What counts is the average speed and the skipper from the Morbihan knows this. This may not necessarily be spectacular, but it is very effective. Behind him, Justine Mettraux (TeamWork) should hang onto her place as runner up, although her compatriot Simon Koster (Go 4 It) has gained a few miles each day. Behind this major trio, the best performances have come from Renaud Mary (www.runo.fr) and Alberto Bona (Onelinesim.it) who are reaping the fruits of their northern option. But the trade winds, which are gradually establishing themselves throughout the area, should level the playing field in the days to come. For this little package series boats, the finish could be played out from Friday. After the tough times, they will finally get a taste of honey. Perhaps not quite a feast just yet, but after the difficult times, any signs of a better future are welcome. There are still four days to reap the full pleasure.

Cegelec / Eurovia Ranking (prototypes) at 16.00 (GMT +1)
6. Julien Pulvé (802 – MEXT – ICA) with 272.5 nm to finish
7. Nicolas Boidevezi (719 – Nature Addicts) + 413.4 nm
8. Louis Segré (679 – Roll my Chicken) + 522.5 nm
9. Michele Zambelli (342 – Fontanot) + 528.7 nm
10. Alan Roura (284 – Navman) + 547.5 nm

Yslab Ranking (series boats) at 16.00 (GMT +1)
1. Aymeric Belloir (810 – Tout le Monde chante contre le Cancer) with 168,4 nm to finish
2. Justine Mettraux (824 – TeamWork) + 286.6 nm
3. Simon Koster (819 – Go 4 it) + 338.7 nm
4. Renaud Mary (www.runo.fr) + 621.1 nm
5. Alberto Bona (Onelinesim.it) + 660 nm

View the positions of the Minis on the cartographie here