Mini-Transat La Boulangère

High pressure, high intrigue!

High pressure, high intrigue!

We are about to witness the denouement of this first leg of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère. It’s a tense finale with a very light breeze, that fades away to nothing at times on the outskirts of the Canaries. In the prototype category, François Jambou has a slight edge this evening, but Tanguy Bouroullec and Axel Tréhin remain poised to attack at the mere sniff of an opportunity. In the production boat category, it’s a nail-biting battle between Ambrogio Beccaria and...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/10/12/high-pressure-high-intrigue/

Less than two days till the verdict!

Less than two days till the verdict!

The leaders in the Mini-Transat La Boulangère have passed the latitude of Madeira this evening. Though they can almost glimpse the finish of this first leg to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the end of the course promises to be a bit of a struggle in light airs. The first ETAs are likely from Sunday morning. For now, François Jambou (prototype) and Ambrogio Beccaria (production boat) are holding rank up front. Astern, numerous competitors are lamenting technical...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/10/11/less-than-two-days-till-the-verdict/

The sailors’ versatility put to the test

The sailors’ versatility put to the test

The competitors in the Mini-Transat La Boulangère have now been at sea for over five days and they’ve already seen it in a vast array of colours. After a long run in meaty conditions, the wind has eased slight this Thursday, treating some of the sailors to a little respite. However, this reprieve will be short-lived. Indeed, another obstacle is looming over the final section of the course since a ridge of high pressure is sprawled across the path of the...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/10/10/the-sailors-versatility-put-to-the-test/

The Mini-Transat 2019 sets sail The open ocean at last!

The Mini-Transat 2019 sets sail : The open ocean at last!

This Saturday 5 October, at 10:38 hours, the 87 sailors competing in the Mini-Transat La Boulangère set sail from La Rochelle on the first leg to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Though the event kicked off in very manageable conditions, the competitors will face a few obstacles throughout the 1,350-mile course, starting with the initial passage of a front tonight.

Walking the dock of the Bassin des Chalutiers in La Rochelle at daybreak,...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/10/05/the-mini-transat-2019-sets-sail-the-open-ocean-at-last/

A foretaste!

A foretaste!

To note:

– The Mini-Transat La Boulangère sailors contested the event prologue this Sunday

– A dress rehearsal prior to the start of leg one

– No favourable weather window before Wednesday or even Thursday  

Despite the delayed start of the 22nd edition of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère, there was a festival atmosphere this Sunday in La Rochelle. Indeed, this morning, a big crowd came along to cheer on the sailors as they docked out of the Bassin des Chalutiers. Out at sea, the...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/09/22/a-foretaste/

Production boats: a wide open playing field

Production boats: a wide open playing field

To note:
– The production Minis make up the bulk of the fleet with 65 entries
– 60 rookies, 5 ‘repeat offenders’, 7 women in this category
– Who are the favourites?

Among the 87 sailors competing in the 22nd edition of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère, 65 will be setting sail on production Minis, seven of whom are women. Just five of the competitors are ‘repeat offenders’. Among them, Italian  Ambrogio Beccaria sports the label of favourite. That said,...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/09/20/production-boats-a-wide-open-playing-field/

90 sailors at the start of the 22nd Mini-Transat, an historic record participation!

90 sailors at the start of the 22nd Mini-Transat, an historic record participation!

To note:

–      Start of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère on Sunday 22 September at 14:15 hours in La Rochelle

–      A record participation for this 22nd edition: 90 skippers to take the start, including 8 women

–      13 nationalities, 12 ‘repeat offenders’, 78 rookies

–      Exceptional patrons: the rugby players from the local Stade Rochelais

In less than three weeks, on Sunday 22 September at 14:15 hours local...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/09/04/90-sailors-at-the-start-of-the-22nd-mini-transat-an-historic-record-participation/

These skippers from elsewhere

These skippers from elsewhere

To note:

– Start of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère on 22 September 2019
– 19 international sailors already registered

To date, 69 women and men have officially registered for the 22nd edition of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère (52 on production boats and 17 on prototypes). Nineteen international skippers, from eleven countries, have signed up. This representation might well increase too, since four non-French sailors are on the waiting list and four other skippers...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/07/04/these-skippers-from-elsewhere/

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