Mini Transat - Race start postponed

by Solene Rennuit on 13 Oct 2013 For the Mini Transat, summer conditions returned to the race village on Saturday afternoon. Especially to welcome Guadeloupe, today’s guest of honor, the sun decided to join the party. This does not affect the decision to postpone since it is the weather situation in two days time, when the fleet would have been approaching the Spanish coast, that the skippers of the Mini Transat would have faced bad weather.

It all started this morning with a visit to the Mini Transat race village by a delegation from Guadeloupe in which Jacques Bangou, the Mayor of Pointe-à- Pitre was accompanied by officials of the CCI Guadeloupe. At 11am, it was the baptism of the Guadeloupe boat - Espace Océa, of François Lamy in the presence of the ship 's godmother, five-time Olympic medallist Laura Flessel.

The 'Wasp' as Flessel is nicknamed, successfully broke the traditional bottle of rum over the boat at the first attempt, ensuring good luck. This evening there will be another opportunity to celebrate the butterfly island of Guadeloupe since the CCI has partnered with the Mini Class for the traditional evening of the alumni of the Mini. There will be plenty of tall stories of the world of racing between beer kegs and cod fritters.

Many may recall the charms of the journey to the West Indies, such as Marc Guillemot, sponsor of Gwénolé Gahinet (Watever - Logways) Bernard Abalan, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede or Fred Guérin, great leaders of the first editions of the race. Hiding in the background of the race you might even spot Roland Jourdain, sponsor of Pierre -François Dargnies’s boat (We- van.com) or even Michel Desjoyeaux on a visit to friends.

Sometimes one finds oneself on both sides in a game. This is what happened to Raphaela Le Gouvello (Respectocean.com) who had her own boat baptised by Gilles Boeuf, President of the Museum of Natural History, and then at 16:00 acted as godmother for Raphaël Marchant’s boat (Soréal – Ilou). A paradoxical situation perhaps, but a logical outcome when we know the commitment Raphaëla has to protecting the planet and its oceans.

At 18:00, the competitors had an appointment with Denis Hughes, the Race Director, for a weather report which confirmed two essential items of information: tomorrow’s parade of sail can take place in good conditions and in the short term the weather window is still refusing to open for the start. The parade of sail under the colors of the 'Isle de Guadeloupe' will take place on the same course as the prologue last week. A beautiful way to get an early taste of the spicy flavors that await the competitors at the finish in Pointe- à-Pitre.

François Lamy (Guadeloupe - Espace Océa): 'This is my second participation in the race after a first experience in 1989. That was 24 years ago and I am impressed to see how high the level is now. In 1989, I left with the tool box still on deck. I hope in any case that my participation will encourage vocations among young Guadeloupe.'

Sunday 13 Octobre 2013 in Douarnenez

09:00 – 12:00 : free visits to the Public Service Patrol Boat Cormoran (Marine Nationale) - Port de Pêche / General Public
10:00 – 19:00 : Village open to the public
11:00 – 12:00 : Culinary demonstration – Espace CCI / General Public
10:00 – 12:00 : Introduction to seamanship – Tente du Conseil Général / General Public
10:30 – 12:00 : Exit of the Mini 6.50s from Port-Rhu – Port-Rhu / General Public
13:00 – 16:00 : Parade of Sail under the colours of the Iles de Guadeloupe on the Bay of Douarnenez – Live commentary and visible from the breakwater of Port du Rosmeur / General Public
14:00 – 17:00 : Free invitation to Paddle – Cale de l’enfer / General Public
14:00 – 17:00 : free visits to the Public Service Patrol Boat Cormoran (Marine Nationale) - Port de Pêche / General Public
19:00 : Closing of the Mini Transat race village – start dismantling