History of the Mini-Transat Race

Origin of the Race

The race was conceived in 1976 by Bob Salmon as a protest to the high budgets and big boats overtaking solo racing—making it impossible for an amateur to participate. Sail boats of less than seven meters long had already proved their seaworthiness for going out in the open sea, so Bob Salmon stipulated only one condition to qualify for the race: a sailboat 6.50 meters long.

The first race was sailed from England to Antigua with a stopover in the Canary Islands in September 1977. Bob Salmon thought he would be one of the first finishers and would welcome the other racers in, but he finished in 15th place. The other boats were discovering their results by counting how many boats had already arrived in Nelson Harbour.

Race Results and Highlights

| 1977 | 1979 | 1981 | 1983 | 1985 | 1987 |

| 1989 | 1991 | 1993 | 1995 | 1997 | 1999 |

• 1977 - Daniel Gilard, 28 years old, shipping expert from Nantes, France

The favorite at the departure was the Pole, Jaworski, on a prototype with a double rudder but no principal sail. At this time, the first stage was only a rejoining stage and had no affect on the general classification. The Belgian, Patrick Van God, disappeared in the first stage. Guillermo Lopez Alonzo, who replaced his brother on the second stage, was not classified despite his place just behind Daniel Gilard in Antigua.

• 1979 - Norton Smith from California, USA

Norton sailed to a first place finish on a Wylie-designed prototype sponsored by American Express. His boat was the first to have water ballast.

• 1981 - Jacques Peignon, 27 years old, sail designer from Mortagne, France

Christian Massicot disappeared with his Mini on the English coast before the departure on a very strong gale. Orleans Painsol capsized on the first stage and Philippe Pean's boat sank when he was caught in Hurricane Irene. A dozen solo racers were forced to take refuge in Corogne. A Canadian sank two days after his departure from the Canary Islands and spent 76 days on his life raft eating fish before arriving in the West Indies.

Jacques Peignon traveled around the Antarctic on a production boat before participating in the Mini-Transat. After the race, he lived in the West Indies and continued his job as a sail designer. He now lives in La Rochelle, France where he sails but does not race.

• 1983 - Stephane Poughon, 26 years old, sail designer from Paris, France

The Mini-Transat is open for the first time to double teams who represent a third of the fleet. Kevlar rigging and movable ballast is introduced. A strong gale was forecast and the race departure was postponed for two days. Stephane Pough won both stages. The Thelier brothers finished second on the first stage and proved that a duo team can be as fast as a solo competitor.

Stephane went on to sail in the Solitaire du Figaro, took a first place in the One Ton Cup with Philippe Briand and sailed around the world with Lionel Pean, as well as sailing in several other races. He now works with Pascal Herold on the Dupon-Duran society.

• 1985 - Yves Parlier Aquitaine, 25 years old, composite materials engineer from Arcachons, France

The Mini-Transat is now organized by Frenchman Jean-Luc Garnier and the 6,50m association. The "Coco" appears. Yves Parlier built a high tech prototype in carbon fiber. He was penalized 16 hours because he took a shortcut on the Raz de Sein.

Yves Parlier's victory opened the door to the first Formule 40 on the Solitaire du Figaro then on the 60-foot Open with the Europe 1 Star and the Vendee Globe. He sailed in the next Transat Jacques Vabre with Eric Tabarly before racing from New York to San Francisco in the Gold Race. Yves Parlier is still very actively racing.

• 1987 - Gilles Chiorri , 27 years old, an officer in the merchant service from Brest, France

Weather routing is allowable and some of the racers are equipped with long wave radio and communicate with the shore to receive the best route. Isabelle Autissier, was first to arrive in the Canary Islands, but she could not find the finish line and was overtaken by a Swiss team on a "Coco." Laurent Bourgnon on a "Coco" ultra light won the second stage before Gilles Chiorri. Chiorri was the first winner of the race that did not win both stages.

Gilles Chiorri took his job back on the "Gitana" after the Mini-Transat doing races and trips between the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean. He also did the Solitaire du Figaro.

• 1989 - Philippe Vicariot, 30 years old, mechanical engineer from Brest, France

The mass production boats are now allowed to sail double-handed. Herve Devic, the winner of the first stage, sails back to the Canary Islands due to a broken autopilot. Two boats sank during this stage. The Trade winds were not in the south.

Philippe still sails with his family and races. Since 1991, he has won six Solitaire du Figaro. He is one of the top solo racers.

• 1991 - Damien Grimont, 25 years old, and engineer from Paris, France

Two participants disappear in the first stage: Marie-Agnes Peron in the Gascogne Gulf and Philippe Graber before arriving in the Canary Islands. Several participants request assistance during the second stage: Blanke, Fremont and Naudin. Michel Desjoyaux wins the second stage with an old prototype with the first pendular keel.

Damien participated in the Solitaire du Figaro in 1992 and continues to sail despite his new job in the society that sponsored him.

• 1993 - Thierry Dubois, 26 years old, a boat builder from Morbihan, France

A terrible storm blows through the Gascogne Gulf and causes much damage and the disappearance of Pascal Leys. Hans Bouscholte is very impressive with his front lateral drift but loses his mast outside of Brest. The second stage is a long surf across the Atlantic with an average speed of 8 knots.

Thierry, the president of the Mini category since 1995, bought a 60-foot Open and did the "Tour de l'Europe" and the "Vendee Globe 95" on which he capsized in the Indian Ocean. Thierry built a new 60-foot Open for his next around the world solo race.

• 1995 - Yvan Bourgnon, 24 years old, a professional navigator from Switzerland

Sailing west, Yvan finished five hours ahead of Theiry Fagnent, the second place finisher. Olivir Vatinet disappeared in the open sea near the Finisterre Cape. Lionel Lemonchois is in the lead during the second stage, but breaks his mast near the end. The shortest way is the quickest and Thierry Fagnent arrives 4 hours ahead of Yvan Bourgnon, to set a record for the fastest time in the Mini-Transat.

After his victory, Yvan continues his career by co-skippering on the Quebec-St. Malo and with the Tour de l'Europe 97 with his brother.

• 1997 - Sebastien Magnen, 33 years old, a naval architect from Fouesnant, France

The passage of the Finisterre Cape was very rough as usual. Sebastien won the first stage with an average speed of 6.79 knots. During the second stage, the wind was light. Those that choose to go south to pick up the Trade winds arrive several days later. Thomas Coville won the second stage.

Sebastien sails regularly in various races and is a very good regatta racer. He designed and built his prototype boat for the Mini-Transat race.

• 1999 - Sebastien Magnen, 35 years old, a naval architect from Fouesnant, France

Seventy boats, a record number, are on the starting line for the 12th Edition of the Mini-Transat. Several more candidates applied but did not qualify in time to make the cut for the race. The 50 participant limit was increased to allow more skippers to enter. More international sailors were on the starting line than ever before including skippers from New Zealand, Japan, Spain, England, Italy, Finland, and Scotland. The sole entry from the United States decided not to do the race.

The first stage started off in a severe low pressure system that lasted three days packing 50-60 knot winds and 25-foot seas. Nine participants were air lifted off of their boats. Out of the 70 starters, all but 14 sailed into a safe harbor for repairs, rest or retirement. Sebastien Magnen won the first stage. The second stage was much more forgiving than the first, however, two more participants were rescued. It was a very close race with Erwan Taberly and Sebastien Magnen fighting for first place for several days until about three days out when Sebastien lost part of his rigging and Erwan finished the race in 1st place. With a jury rig, Sebastien finishes in time to win the overall race and set a record for the first participant to win the Mini-Transat race twice.

Safety

The security of the participants in the race has greatly improved by the invention of the argos beacon that allows the racers to be traced six to eight times a day. Safety boats also sail along with the fleet to help out in an emergency. Each participant must pass a strict inspection by the organizers. The boats must comply to the rules and are tested for stability.

Conclusion

The number of participants has increased considerably from 23 in 1977 to 70 in 1999. For safety reasons, the organization is considering returning the number on the starting line to 50 boats. Because of the increased interest in the race, qualifying is becoming very difficult, particularly for overseas entries. The original concept of the race, to make it affordable to the amateur racer, is disappearing in the prototype class which is filling up with more professional racers with big budgets. The series (one-design) class is much more affordable and will probably see an increased number of entries in future races.

Note: The history of the race was complied from information obtained from the French Mini Class and from Offshore Challenges.