The Mini Transat - One of the greatest challenges in ocean sailing for 44 years!
The Class Mini has been challenging solo sailors every two years to this day. Starting from
France (since 1985), the transatlantic race demands everything from its participants: strength,
stamina, courage, skill, navigational expertise and the ability to think on one's feet.
A particular challenge is not only the size of the boat, but also the minimalistic equipment on board.
The Mini Transat presents risks and dangers that should not be underestimated. Skippers encounter both human and technical challenges.
To qualify for the Mini Transat, skippers must sail 1,000 nautical miles single-handed, non-stop and accumulate at least 1,500 nautical miles by participating in Mini Regattas. For current races, there are 84 places, so it really is a case of first come-first served! The first skippers to meet the qualification requirements may register for the Mini Transat. Hugo had already qualified for the race across the Atlantic in July 2020.
The race takes place in two stages, which are judged together to decide the victor:
Les Sables d'Olonne, France - Santa Cruz, Canary Islands
and Santa Cruz, Canaries - Saint Francois, Guadeloupe.
The boat with the fastest sailed real-time results wins!
The pre - entry list for the production boats classification is already complete. Participation is still possible in the prototype class only. The names of the skippers who have already qualified for the Mini Transat 2021 can be found here.
Image source: https://www.classemini.com/?mode=skippers
Prototype boats | Serienbau | |
---|---|---|
Width | 3 m | 3 m |
Hull length | 6,5 m | 6,5 m |
Draft | 2 m | 1,60 m |
Airdraft | 12 m | 11 m |
Freeboard | 0,75 | 0,75 |
Bowsprit | Unrestricted | Not allowed |
Number of allowed bowsprits | Unrestricted | max. 2 |
Bouyancy | Unrestricted | At least 400 l |
water ballast | Unrestricted | Not allowed |
Lifting rudder | Unrestricted | Not allowed |
Daggerboards | 2 | Not allowed |
Mast | Carbon | Aluminium |
Standing rigging | Dyneema/other materials | Wire/stainless steel wire |
Individual parts and reinforcements | Carbon | Plastic, aluminium and stainless steel |
Keel | Canting keel | Fixed keel |
Storm sail | 4 m² | 4 m² |
Number of sails on board * | 7 | 7 |
* There is no rule that specifies the exact number of sail types (genoa, mainsail,...) on board. Which means, theoretically, 7 headsails would also be possible.
Today, the Classe Mini counts about 300 members. That says a lot. Everyone from craftsmen to engineers, nurses to flight attendants, journalists and professional skippers, the small, 6.50 metre long boats appeal to anyone who loves hitting big waves, values a strong sense of community and, above all, enjoys those days when the wind blows and that feeling of absolute happiness that only the ocean can give! The Classe Mini is as diverse as its sailors and more demanding than almost any other boat class of this size.
Apart from round - the - world races, I don’t know of any other race that is so extraordinary. There are as many possible winners as there are competitors at the start.
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, winner of the Golden Globe race