Departure from the Pornichet Select 6.50 on April 27, followed closely by the Mini in May on May 6 (as its name suggests). These are very different races that have many points in common and are part of the very popular events of the Ministries. 300 miles for the first, 500 miles for the second. Each of them runs alone and shares the same playing field. This year, they will both suffer the whims of Aeolus. When the weather gets involved, the race committee has to adapt.
Delayed departure for the Select Pornichet
The start of the Pornichet Select 6.50 is delayed to allow a gale that raises waves in Baie de la Baule to pass. The route is modified and reduced, removing the tour of the island of Groix and replacing it with the buoy "La Recherche" in the bay of Quiberon. We will then roll up the Birvideaux lighthouse north of Belle-Ile, go down to Les Sables-d'Olonne and then return home after having made the detour through the Bay of Quiberon.
Route cut in half for the Mini in May
During the Mini in May - which kicks off in La Trinité - an announced gust of wind is expected to arrive in the middle of the race. It's hard to reduce the route. The jury proposes to bring the start forward and "neutralize the race" until the bad weather passes. In concrete terms, the competitors would start - after the traditional course in Quiberon Bay - on a tour of the islands: Groix, Belle Ile and Hoëdic (around 130 miles); return to La Trinité to wait for the storm to end and then set off again on a second course towards Rochebonne (off La Rochelle) then the Glénan and back to La Trinité (250 miles). But Yves le Blevec, race director, insisted: "It's not two separate races, but only one race neutralized in the middle!" Even on land, we stay in the race. If it is allowed to leave the pontoon to enjoy a shower or bed for the night, the boats must remain in racing configuration, nothing can go up or down from the edge. Any repairs must be carried out with the tools on board and without external assistance.
The fleet will leave in the order of arrival and time differences. Arrived after 29h45'11'' of race on the first part, I will start again 6h14 after the first competitor: François Jambou and his proto 865.
84 participants for a high level
These races are known to be difficult and deserve their reputation! The technical course that passes through the middle of islands and pebbles requires vigilance at all times. Each hosting 84 skippers, the plateau is extensive and the level high. And this year - even if we avoid storms - the weather conditions remain complex. During the Pornichet Select, we faced 25 knots of breeze during the ascent of Belle Ile, then long hours of calm off Yeu.
The Mini in May was not to be outdone, although this time it started with a break. So much so that some boats, pushed by the current, missed by a few meters the last mark of the Teignouse channel (the Goue Vas du Sud). Without wind, it is impossible to fight against the current, it will take them several hours to repair this fatal error.
As for the strong wind, we had to wait until the last night of the second part. But Aeolus didn't do things halfway. While I have passed the Rochebonne plateau, the CROSS announces a BMS at the VHF. We are facing winds of up to 40 knots - always upwind. During the reefing, I tear up my mainsail. I will no longer be able to send the whole painting back to the calm that prevails again on the morning of the last day.
Material difficulties
The icing on the cake, to increase the difficulty of this Mini in May, I have to sail without a weather vane, lost during the delivery. Deprived of all the wind information, it is not easy to make the right strategic choices, decide on the right sails and of course, impossible to use the pilot in "wind mode", essential for upwind speeds and downwind VMG. No matter how much time I spend at the helm, it is impossible to fight effectively to maintain a respectable ranking.
It will take a lot of tenacity and perseverance to get to the end of this race. And many of them have thrown in the towel, on breakage or as a precaution, 26 of the 84 boats will not finish
It is by sailing that you become a sailor
The results of these two races? I clearly have a lack of speed and heading upwind. Problems with adjustment, VMG, rigging tension? Anyway, we're going to have to work on this pace if I want to be competitive. On the other hand, good point on the downwind and reaching edges. The boat is surprisingly stable and I am clearly fast at these speeds. I am also satisfied with the "speed" during moments of calm.
And it is imperative to work on the preparation of the boat. Sailing without being at 100% of the equipment (loss of the windvane) is really frustrating when you see the other players leaving in front.
