The concept
The Mini Transat is an original concept that Bob Salmon created in 1977 and organized every 4 years. Today it takes place every two years. It consists in crossing the Atlantic solo and without assistance on a racing yacht of only 6.50 m. This transatlantic race takes place in two stages starting from France (since 1985) with a three-week stopover in the Canary Islands before reaching the West Indies.
The first edition in 1977 aimed to compete with the gigantism of the transatlantic races organized since 1970. For this crossing, the skippers had only the minimum equipment - until a few years ago, the sextant was the only authorized means of navigation - and set off to attack the Atlantic on boats that had to measure 6.50 m. Some built protos, others cut their boats! Some build protos, others cut their boats!
The first three editions will be held from Penzance, Cornwall, with a stopover in Tenerife and an arrival in Antigua.
No communication with the earth!
On the Mini Transat, there is no communication! Indeed, on board these small boats, there are no computers, no satellite link, no vacation, no possibility to send photos or videos. No contact with the race organization or family and friends!
The only link with the land for the "Ministes" is the daily bulletin, issued on the SSB radio by the race direction to give the weather situation, the 48 hours forecast and the distances to the goal of each competitor.
The only possibility for the sailors to exchange - between them - is the VHF which transmits up to 10 miles.
However, the solo sailors are not left to their own devices in the middle of the Atlantic. Accompanying boats follow them on their journey and provide assistance, if needed.
Small" boats of 6.50 m
The Mini Transat is raced on the smallest ocean racing boats in the world, only 6.50 m long. To be allowed to cross the Atlantic, the Minis need a derogation from the Maritime Affairs - they must be designed as a category B boat, but are approved as a category C - hence the presence of accompanying boats.
They are classified into two categories - production boats, of which there must be at least 10, and prototype boats. The latter are unique boats born from the imagination of architects and racers in search of innovation.
In fact, many innovations first appeared on these 6.50 m racing yachts before being adapted to other classes and even to pleasure boats:
- Ballasts in 1979
- Carbon mast in 1985
- Mast-wing, canting keel, removable and pivoting bowsprit in 1991
- The round bow in 2011
- Foils in 2015 (allowed from 2014)
- The semi-rigid wing in 2017
Eclectic profiles
Everyone can participate in the Mini Transat and most of the great sailors have worn their first oilskins before continuing in Figaro, Class40, IMOCA, Ultime...!
Men and women from all walks of life will take the start of this transatlantic race in two stages.
But above all, the Mini is the project of a lifetime! If some can count on the support of sponsors, others invest their own money! Because after all, their dream is to cross this huge ocean on a "mini" boat.
