Please select your home edition
Edition
Navico AUS Zeus3S LEADERBOARD

Mini Transat - 'Portuguese trade winds' are no walk in the park

by Solene Rennuit on 15 Nov 2013
Mini Transat 2013 Jacques Vapillon / Mini Transat 2013
Mini Transat - Douarnenez to Pointe-a-Pitre. They say that the 'Portuguese trade winds' rarely herald a walk in the park, and the passage round Cape Finisterre and the descent along the coast of Galicia have done nothing to disprove this rule. Instead of the expected winds of 25 knots, the fleet has been confronted by a gale. With varying degrees of success …

The aim was to find the balance, to maintain good pace without pushing the boat too hard. Pushed down the track by a strengthening breeze, some Ministes have struggled to put the brakes on overnight. The accompanying support boat La Pampero, reported that their boat speed we peaking at in excess of 15 knots and they were being overtaken by some competitors on the attack. In these conditions it’s difficult to avoid broaching, sometimes with disasterous consequences.

In such beam seas at high speed the rudder is under a disproportionate load. It's therefore unsurprising that overnight several competitors announced they have experienced rudder problems, thanks to failure of their fittings. This is particularly the case for Clement Bouyssou, who is uncertain as to whether he wishes to rejoin the race. The navigator of No War came to win and has no desire to spend the rest of his race to watching from afar as the favorites fight for victory. Ian Lipinski (Pas de Futur sans Numérique) is another of the more serious outsiders who sees his hopes of victory dashed having been dismasted. Yannick Le Clech (Diaoulic 692) had high hopes, especially since his race start was perfect. However, having been dismasted too he has not made a final decision. After specifying that did not require assistance, he is sailing to Cascais under jury rig, where he hopes to re-rig quickly and put to sea again as soon as possible.


For now, the conditions have improved in the area. For the competitors closest to land, the sea has subsided considerably and the wind has dropped to around fifteen knots. Almost a holiday, especially as the sun made an appearance in the area.

In prototypes, Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian) has clearly been able to demonstrate that the special bow shape of his Reason design is equally competitive in these downwind conditions. The Italian navigator has regained the lead in the standings as of 12 noon, and has an 18 nautical mile (nm) lead over Benoit Marie (benoitmarie.com) and more than 20 nm on Bertrand Delesne (TeamWork Proto). This gap may sound significant, but, based on the current average speed of the boats, is only just over an hour. In theSeries boats, Aymeric Belloir (Tout le Monde chante contre le Cancer) and Simon Koster ( Go 4 It) have built a small gap on the rest of the fleet, which is led by Justine Mettraux (TeamWork) who, after a cautious start, has been working her way gradually to the forefront . In fourth, the amazing Robert Rosen Jacobson (Postillion Hotels) confirms once again that the doyen of the race is at ease in the breeze. But with physical age can come mental strength. And in this field, Robert could remonstrate with many.


Technical stops and retirements

Yannick Le Clech (692 Diaoulic) dismasted. A support boat is 12 nm away and heading to him. Under jury rig, he is en route to Cascais at a speed of 2.2 knots.

François Lamy (566 Guadeloupe Espace Océan) is heading to Cascais with a damaged rudder to try to fix it.

Carlos Lizancos (431 Reyno de Navarra) is heading for Cascais with a technical problem.

Maxime Salle (348 Bongo) has restarted from Baiona after solving his steering problem. Pilar Pasanau (519 Peter Punk) and Richard Hewson (816 RG650.org) are also due to leave the Spanish port following technical stops.

Yann Le Pautremat (483 Prep Nautic Sea Echo 1% for the Planet) and Sébastien Picault (198 Kickers) have confirmed their retirement.

Rankings on 14 novembre at 16.00 (TU+1)

Eurovia Cegelec Ranking (Prototypes)

1 Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian) 3364.2 miles to finish
2 Benoît Marie (benoitmarie.com) + 18 milles from leader
3 Bertrand Delesne (TeamWork Proto) +24.3 miles
4 Gwénolé Gahinet (Watever - Logways) +31.9 miles
5 Rémi Fermin (Boréal) +33,3 miles

Yslab Ranking (Series Boats)

1 Aymeric Belloir (Tout le Monde Chante Contre le Cancer) 3401.5 miles to finish
2 Simon Koster (Go 4 it) +5,1 miles from leader
3 Justine Mettraux (Teamwork) +10 miles
4 Robert Rosen Jacobson (Postillion Hotels) +15 miles
5 Renaud Mary (www.runo.fr) +20,7 Mini Transat website

X-Yachts X4.0Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignBarton Marine Pipe Glands

Related Articles

Team Malizia starts Course Des Caps
Challenging race around the British Isles Team Malizia set sail today from Boulogne-sur-Mer, kicking off the inaugural Course des Caps race in light winds and challenging conditions with a solid start.
Posted on 29 Jun
Holcim-PRB set off on the Course des Caps
With Nicolas Lunven, Franck Cammas, Annemieke Bes, Alan Roberts, and onboard reporter Anne Beauge Today at 2:00 PM (French time), the IMOCA Holcim-PRB set off on the Course des Caps Boulogne sur Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, a challenging route of over 2,000 nautical miles around the British Isles.
Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair?
Posted on 29 Jun
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Overall
Winners crowned at inaugural event, hosted by Circolo Vela Torbole It's hard to imagine a better debut for the inaugural J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship, held in the iconic sailing venue of Torbole on Lake Garda in Italy.
Posted on 29 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 10
Seven nations celebrate victories at the finale On the final sailing day of Kieler Woche 2025, there were beaming faces all around the Olympic Centre in Schilksee. Eleven decisions were made on Sunday and alongside Germany, Denmark, France, GB, Malta, Sweden, & Hungary were able to celebrate victories.
Posted on 29 Jun
Dan Turner prepares for Mini Globe Race 2025 Leg 3
Sailing aboard his homebuilt yacht, Immortal Game, Dan has navigated treacherous ocean conditions South Australian sailor Dan Turner finished in 2nd place and is now preparing to embark on the third leg of the Mini Globe Race 2025 — a gruelling solo circumnavigation challenge for sailors in compact 5.8-metre yachts.
Posted on 29 Jun
SGS Gold at Kieler Woche goes to France and GB
The best German team, Theresa Löffler and Christopher Hoerr, finished fifth With a victory in the final medal race of the Kieler Woche, the British team of Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris secured gold in the 470 class on Sunday (June 29).
Posted on 29 Jun
Reach Your Sailing Potential Today
Elevate Every Outing with North Sails EDGE is the addition to the 3Di ENDURANCE family. Designed for crossover sailors, ENDURANCE EDGE is as ready for regattas as it is for day sailing.
Posted on 29 Jun
From ORC to DH: The XR 41 Delivers Again
All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel, where she convincingly won under ORC. The boat has proven her versatility by taking on Denmark's Fyn Cup — and winning again.
Posted on 29 Jun
Introduction to the Admiral's Cup/Fastnet 2025
After a 22 year abscence, the renowned Admiral's Cup is back. After a break of 22 years, the renowned Admiral's Cup is returning to the international yacht racing scene in July 2025. One short ocean race, three days of inshore racing, and then the fabled Fastnet to finish
Posted on 29 Jun