What to do when the race direction advises to take refuge in a port without clearly indicating that the race is interrupted? Hugo, The Sailing Frenchman is participating in the Mini Transat 2021 on board his Maxi 650 number 1014.
In this video episode, he records the VHF calls with the accompanying boats who advise to go to the nearest port in front of a weather situation that should evolve towards wind and very strong sea. We also see here the exchanges with competitors who are sailing nearby and all the thoughts of the navigator on the right decision to take.
Indeed, he imagines his situation a little ahead of the fleet which would allow him to get out of this bad spot without too much damage. But he also considers the rest of the fleet with participants who do not necessarily have the same experience of the sea and heavy weather.
It is therefore to preserve the fleet, to show the example in some way, that Hugo is diverted to Baiona in Galicia (Spain). It is a key moment of this Mini Transat, because the future will show that only 2 competitors continued to the finish line, offering themselves a victory with a large lead over the rest of the fleet
