The places are expensive to participate in the 2021 edition of the Mini-Transat, and this year 2021 even more! A year ago, the whole of France was confined, bringing all sporting competitions to a halt. The Mini 6.50 races were no exception to the rule and for some of them, the equation took a much more complex turn than expected. The rule is indeed simple to register for the mythical transatlantic race aboard a Mini 6.50: the more miles raced, the greater the chances of qualification. In 2020, out of nine races scheduled to take place in the Atlantic, four have been cancelled, representing a total of 1250 miles of racing removed.
Putting in the miles to earn the miles
Due to numerous damages on her boat, Julie Simon, skipper of the 963, has not had the opportunity to participate in any races during the year 2020. Now on the waiting list for the Mini-Transat with a zero mileage count, she has chosen to cross France to Italy, in order to launch her season as soon as possible: " As the Italian championship starts before the French one, it is an opportunity to open the miles counter as soon as possible! ». Julie will be competing in two races: the Arcipelago 650, which will start on March 18 from Punta Ala and the Gran Premio d'Italia, which will start from Genoa on April 10. Respectively 180 and 540 miles long, the two races will allow the skipper to leave the Mediterranean with 720 miles on her odometer.
The Mini spirit in Italy
Of course, such a move cannot be improvised and the skippers are adapting to this new organization as best they can: " I'm used to being surrounded by people in my training center and on the Atlantic races. Here I have to manage ten times more things being alone. I also have to sacrifice at least four weekends in logistics instead of spending time on the water training. It's a bit frustrating. "Fortunately, Julie and the few other skippers on the Atlantic coast who have made the same choice as her, have been able to attract the sympathy of the locals who do not hesitate to help them out if necessary: " Overall, I find the same atmosphere. Everyone talks to each other, lends each other equipment and helps each other ».
At the end of these Italian races and especially the miles gained, the skippers will head west to continue the qualifying course on the Atlantic side, hopefully with a little more serenity and confidence for the rest of their journey! As for the French championship, it will start on April 15th 2021 with the Plastimo Lorient.
