The competition lasts 3 days (from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 September 2018), with one line opening in the morning and one line closing in the evening, no night sailing for this event. This is the last race of the season and Jean Baptiste on his Mini #880 tells us about the event.
A very special format
For this last event of the season, the Mini class is organizing a competition a little different from the other events organized this year. The line is open every morning (during the 3 days of the event). The competitors can start at any time they wish in solo or double to go around Groix in the direction they want. It is allowed to change crew members at each departure. The only constraint to be classified is to do a minimum of one lap per day and a total of at least 4 laps - which means that two laps must be done on one of the three days.
Every evening after the line closes, the competitors meet ashore for a drink to repeat the day's race, establish a strategy for the next day and enjoy a meal together. Similarly, every morning, breakfast is served at the SNL nautical base (Kernevel), which offers a view of the Lorient channel gully and the citadel. A festive and friendly atmosphere in a magnificent setting.
First round in doubles
So I set off to attack my first lap as early as 10am after the opening briefing, during which Ino-Rope spoiled us with a few gifts: pulley, storm lighter... Thank you! For this first warm-up round, I am assisted by Nicolas Decomble, a friend who has transported my boat from Les Sables-d'Olonne to Lorient.
The weather conditions offer us a beautiful sunshine, but little wind. We try to go around in a counter-clockwise direction (passing through the north of the island of Groix). Not sure if this option was the right one since it will take us 4h51:45 to finish the lap and return to Kernevel.
Second round the closed line within 5 minutes!
The wind picked up, I immediately attacked again to try my luck a second time, this time twice with Chloé, my partner. The wind settled around 20 knots from the northeast. I decide to try the lap option again counter-clockwise. Unfortunately, as we arrive at the western tip of the island under Medium spinnaker, the bowsprit is breaking! Impossible to send the bowsprit out while removing what is left of the overlay in order to put the arm back in place without it. Once the incident is over, we finish the tour with a good speed, but we finish less than 5 minutes after the line closes! DNF.
A big disappointment for Chloé, this is her first race and for me who was hoping to improve my time on that first day. Fortunately, to console and restore oneself, a barbecue is planned, an opportunity to tell our misfortunes and to congratulate those who pulverized the times.
Saturday, technical issues and heeling
Second day of racing, the wind is still strong. I'm leaving with Chloe to take our revenge on yesterday's failure. This time, we're going clockwise. And it starts with a long edge of medium spinnaker in 20-25 knots. Deep down in the surf, we get rinsed off, but we bombard and we take a lot of pleasure. Almost 12 knots on average to reach the "cat" buoy - a course mark east of Groix. The buoy approaches, the gennaker is unrolled and the gybed. But a mistake in our manoeuvre and the bowsprit fell downwind. I lower the gennaker in bulk into the cockpit and go back under solent alone. We have a small speed deficit compared to our competitors who manage to hold their gennak. We will still set our best time on this lap (3h49:02).
Today's second round will be with Paul Guillou, another ministe from Les Sables-d'Olonne (Pogo 2 #590). As the wind has dropped, our performance on this second round will not be remembered, however, the tailgating in the secondary channel will earn us a special prize at the awards ceremony on Sunday evening.
This day ends again in a good mood and a friendly atmosphere around a ham on the bone and prizes given out by drawing lots.
Sunday, a beautiful learning day
Sunday, last day of racing. Today the line closes at 4pm, so it's difficult to hope to do two laps. I'll do this last round again with Paul. We try again to go around from the west (counter-clockwise). On a rather good last day, we sail well and fast, but opt for the wrong option when entering the channel, forcing us to tack in a very soft and oscillating onshore wind.
15th of 24 in series
Finally, my cumulative race time (only the 4 best times are retained) is 18h06:33, which ranks me 15th of the 24 production boats. The best time of the production boats is 3h12:10 (Pogo 3 #909), which will not be enough to beat the absolute record: 3h01:15 (in production boat) held by Benoît Sineau (FRA 915) since 2016.
Among the protos, Vincent Busnel on #621 holds the fastest time 3h07:15. He too will not be able to match the absolute reference time in proto, still held by Yves Le Blevec (FRA 624) since 2007: 2h40:34
A magical racing format
However, even if no records have been broken this year, the competitors are unanimous in saying that this event is really a great race. The organization was impeccable and the atmosphere very relaxed. And although you can sleep in the warmth of the night, the format requires a lot of manoeuvring, the unstable weather requires a lot of attention and concentration. I finish this competition ground and tired but very happy to have been able to participate in this Chrono.
