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Classe Mini has decided. Gathered around the Collectif rochelais, the project led by the La Rochelle agglomeration, the city, La Rochelle Nautique, the marina and their partners has been selected to organize the 2027 and 2029 Mini Transat. This decision, approved by the Classe Mini Board of Directors, marks the return of the race to La Rochelle after several editions held elsewhere.
La Rochelle back at the helm of the Mini Transat
The Mini Transat remains one of the major events in single-handed ocean racing. Every two years, some 90 sailors, mostly amateurs but also future greats of the discipline, set off without routing or assistance for a demanding Atlantic crossing.
With this choice, La Rochelle continues a long-standing relationship with the Classe Mini, which began in 2000. The region is thus confirming its position as a key hub for ocean racing, as a port, a sports centre and a training ground.
Back to a legendary transatlantic route
In another major announcement, the Mini Transat will return to Salvador de Bahia as its finishing port. After six editions organized between 2001 and 2011 by Grand Pavois Organisation, which had already made their mark by sending the 6.50s sailing westwards and crossing the equator, the race returns to the Baie de Tous les Saints.
On the program, an emblematic route, starting from La Rochelle, a first leg to the Cape Verde archipelago, the passage through the Doldrums, the crossing of the equator, then a long descent under North-East then South-East trade winds to Brazil. It's an itinerary that still inspires sailors, and one that has seen the emergence of many great ocean racers.
An environmentally committed edition
For the 2027 and 2029 editions, the Classe Mini has also integrated a reinforced environmental commitment. The event's carbon footprint is to be halved between the two editions, notably by reducing offsets and working on logistics organization.
This orientation is in line with the current evolution of ocean racing, where sobriety, impact measurement and operational choices are becoming issues in their own right.
A strong signal for La Rochelle
For the partner communities, hosting the Mini Transat is about more than just sport. Antoine Grau, vice-president of the Communauté d'agglomération de La Rochelle, underlines the sporting, tourist and economic impact of the event for the region.
For his part, the mayor of La Rochelle, Thibaut Girard, points out that the Mini Transat embodies a certain idea of the sea, of commitment and of surpassing oneself, in line with the maritime values and ecological transition supported locally.
With this double choice, La Rochelle returns to a founding race of the ocean racing industry, while Salvador de Bahia once again becomes a flagship destination for Classe Mini sailors. A return to the roots for a transatlantic race that remains, more than ever, a special part of a sailor's life.
