Mini Transat
The Mini Transat Race
The 4,000 plus nautical mile single-handed race across the Atlantic from France to the stopover in the Canaries and then on to Brazil, is the little sister of the bigger ocean races, but with even more adventure and dangers! The route leads the boats through challenging waters, ranging from the notorious Bay of Biscay to the fickle challenge of the Doldrums.
Design: Proto 6.50
The Mini Transat Proto ‘Box Rule’ follows similar lines to its bigger siblings, the Open 60’s and Volvo 70’s, encouraging innovation and design development.
Innovations made within the class are often found to echo throughout the high performance yachting industry.
Within the rule there are strict safety requirements ensuring the boats are stable, robust and unsinkable.
The open characteristics of this rule means that entries to this race can be extremely hi-tech with the emphasis on performance. Although these boats are small they punch way above their weight and are spectacular to race and watch.
The Rule in essence is simple, the boat shall be no longer than 6.5 metres, no wider than 3 metres and draw no more than 2 metres. In addition the rig shall not extend higher than 14 metres from the bottom of the keel.
The rest is left to the designer, resulting in a proliferation of ideas, massive sail areas and light structures.
Extreme, Exhausting, Dangerous & Demanding,
so why do it?
This is a test of endurance, skill and fitness. The challenge attracts some of world’s best yachtsmen, drawn in by the adventure and prestige of competing in the most extreme single-handed transatlantic race.
Over the years many famous top sailors have made their names competing in this grueling single handed Race. Dame Ellen MacArthur, Brian Thompson, Andrew Cape, Mark Turner, Sam Davis, just to name a few. This race is known to be the gateway to the highly prestigious races such as the Vendee Globe and the Volvo Ocean Race.
Courage, commitment, resilience, stamina, and determination are needed as conditions are uncomfortable, even dangerous, sleep is almost non-existent, the noise is infernal, the chance of a big wipe-out always possible! Combine this with the need to constantly trim, drive and navigate the boat night and day and you have the recipe for a very competitive challenge indeed.
It is a challenge that only the best prepared can win.
