Mini Transat - Preparations well underway

by Solene Rennuit on 14 Sep 2013 In preparation for this year’s Mini Transat, Event Managing Director Gwen Chapalain and Race Director Denis Hugues visited Lanzarote to prepare for the arrival of the 84-strong fleet about to leave from Douarnenez.

Calero Marinas has two facilities in Lanzarote; one in Arrecife and the other Puerto Calero, already well known to Mini Transat sailors. This marina is also a popular Volvo Ocean Race team training base and a preferred choice for the renowned RC44 Class. Hopes were high this time for a stopover to be held in the new nearby port in Arrecife, Marina Lanzarote where the new pontoons are already installed and the shore-side development advancing rapidly. With a view however to the ultimate comfort of a fleet that will cover 1250 miles sailing from France to the Canaries, the Calero family proposed that this year the Mini fleet return to Puerto Calero. During the same visit, an agreement was made to return to the island in 2015 where the fleet will be berthed in the new Marina Lanzarote.

Race Director Denis Hugues : 'Lanzarote represents a historical stopover for us (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005) and the Mini Transat has always been well looked after. The marina offers all the technical services required by participants and facilitates the best possible preparation for the next leg.'

Gwen Chapelain, Managing Director for the event: 'We are very happy with this agreement with the Calero family and welcome their energy and professionalism. We really appreciate Mr. Calero’s proposal to welcome the fleet once again in Puerto Calero and are looking forward to our stay in Marina Lanzarote for 2015.'

Marina owner José Calero: 'It is a real honour to be chosen to host the Mini fleet once again and is always a pleasure to work together with the Classe Mini. We have a great respect for this particularly challenging offshore Mini Transat