For amateur built mini’s
Image: 88 and 07 starting a battle that looks set to continue all the way across the Atlantic!
# 6 Entrants enter historic first Solo Globe 5.80 Transat.
# 5.80 Founder, Don McIntyre delayed two days.
# Irish entry Jim Schofield arrives with boat in tow behind car, 8 hours before the start!
A group of six Class Globe 5.80 home-built plywood Mini’s are making history with the first ever single-handed Globe 5.80 Transat Race setting off at noon today from Lagos Portugal. They are bound for Rubicon Marina in Lanzarote in the Canaries before heading to Antigua in the Caribbean 3600 miles away.
88 and 07 starting a battle that looks set to continue all the way across the Atlantic!
Only four of the six entrants made the start on time. Race Founder Don McIntyre’s TREKKA is now due to start on Wednesday 3rd two days late. His final preparation was interrupted running the event. Irishman Jim Schofield arrived at 4am on start day after a 16 hour drive off the UK Ferry with ‘Molly Claire” in tow. He has only just finished building the boat! He must now launch and rig the yacht, set up safety gear and fresh food. He may not set off till Saturday five days late.
The six yachts will regroup in Lanzarote before setting off on the main race across the Atalntic on NOV. 18th.
It had been a hectic week for all entrants with last minute preparations, including One design Class registrations, Mast pull down stability checks, safety inspections and briefings, plus a few hardy parties!
Boatshed.com came as the gold sponsor of the event and the company’s founder and CEO Neil Chapman provided the Race committee boat with his superb Van de Stadt 41 “Supertaff”.
As a steady NW breeze powered 10 to 14 knots, the grey clouds disappeared sending skippers and spectator boats into the starting sequence of this 600 nm qualifier under a gorgeous sun and the dramatic backdrop of the Ponta de Piedade cliffs off Lagos.
All promises of a conservative start disappeared in the last minute with skippers setting their spinnakers. Etienne and Peter crossed the line first under A5 with Michal 3rd but gaining ground under full sail and the big A3. Severin closing the line under A5 at the rear.
Fierce and friendly battle immediately ensued with Michal taking advantage of the extra power to overtake Peter and fighting with Etienne for the lead, until being overpowered once in the open sea, having to bear away before dropping the big A3 and losing the lead.
The youngest entrant 25YO Severin Hummer, a professional swimmer turned boat builder -Solo Sailor is up for the challenge but will miss his girlfriend!
The four boats are currently heading South in a tight knit group with Numbatou (Etienne Messikommer) 1st , Origami (Peter Kenyon) 2nd, Menawan (Mishal Krysta) 3 rd, and Shrimp (Severin Hummer) 4th. Forecast for the next four days predicts consistent following trades with 2-3mtr seas.
First night news included the following..
Nº47 Peter Kenyon – Origami – UK: Bit lumpy just by TSS, significant amount of dinner on bulkhead. Tasty though, when returned to bag. Bashing along nicely.
Nº07 Michal Krysta – Menawan – Czech Republic DAY 1: ‘Hi, everything’s all right. We’re going about 4 knots south. I haven’t had a good start, but I’m already in the right rhythm. It’s raining outside, and there’s coffee brewing inside.
The Globe 5.80 Transat will be held every two years. In the next 12 months up to 45 new yachts should be launched with 165 builders in 27 countries. The ultimate goal of many builders is to enter the 2024 Mini Globe Race with 14 of the available 30 entries already signed up.