Time for final preparations
For the past two weeks, the 90 "ministes" have been preparing for what will be for most of them the adventure of a lifetime. For others - there are 14 of them - it is a question of doing better, better than the previous editions.
After a prologue on Wednesday in the bay of Les Sables-d'Olonne, the boats are now all docked (soon) ready to take the start of the race this Monday, September 27, 2021. Most of the families have joined their "sailor" to support them before this first stage that will take them to the Canaries. It is now time for the final preparations. The departure originally scheduled for Sunday, September 26 has been postponed by one day, because of the strong weather conditions expected in the first days.
" Our goal is to get as many competitors as possible to the other side and, in this sense, the weather situation is pushing us to be cautious. A very active front is expected to pass off the Vendée coast on Sunday night. This front will generate average winds of 30-35 knots, with gusts over 40 knots, but also rough and cross seas, with a fairly short wave period. Putting the racers in these conditions on the first night clearly doesn't seem reasonable. The decision to postpone the race was well thought out, as postponing a start naturally implies a lot of things. It was discussed with Christian Dumard, the race meteorologist. Other specialists were also consulted to corroborate our choice. It was also an obvious choice as the situation behind was perfectly clear, with the files perfectly in tune."
If the schedules are busy - weather briefing, security, French Championship 2020 prize-giving evening, Mini evening - it is also necessary to know how to balance the desire to rest and the desire to share with everyone before the start. The last purchases - fresh food in particular - and the last weather briefing will take place on Saturday at 5 pm, the phones will be "confiscated" from 8 am on Sunday 26th and the towing will start at 10 am with a precise order of exit of the different boats.
The first few days of the race must be well negotiated
For the occasion, the visitors will be able to attend the descent of the channel of the Mini 6.50, with a presentation of each participant, before the departure at 2 pm, which will be followed by a small course in bay before taking the wide.
"In terms of the weather situation, there is a front arriving on Sunday night. The first 24 hours are going to be a bit sporty and the exit from the Bay of Biscay a bit tricky, with a zone of light airs at Cape Finisterre, before catching the Portuguese trade winds that are establishing themselves. The first two or three days of racing will be complicated. We'll have to negotiate the front and then the calm. It will be hard on the water but interesting to follow for the public. The routing is currently for 7 days. Depending on the front and the zone of calms, it will be between 6 and 8 days" explains Hugo Picard (Mini 1014 SVB Team).
The skipper will also share the start live via his YouTube channel, which you can find at the bottom of the page.
