The Mini Transat 6,50.
In the 2007 edition, David and GBR 444 finished 26th. A very creditable result on the oldest boat in the 89-boat fleet, at 17 years old!
HISTORY OF THE MINI TRANSAT
The Mini-Transat is one of the most respected offshore races held today. It was created by Englishman Bob Salmon in 1977 in response to the increased size and cost of other Transatlantic races and boats in the 70's. His idea was to create an affordable single-handed offshore race which was more accessible to more sailors. He did this by restricting the boat size to (6.5m) and construction materials, which lowered the cost. The rules are simple, cross the Atlantic Ocean, solo, on a 6.5 meter sail boat, with no assistance whatsoever.
The 4000-mile race, held every two years, starts in mid September. It is run in two legs the first from La Rochelle, France, to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands and the second from the Canary Islands to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. It has become a highly prestigious event drawing more than 120 worldwide entries (only 70 are accepted). After the second race, Bob Salmon was unable to raise sponsorship funds and the organization was turned over to a French Authority. For many years the Mini-Transat was totally dominated by French designed, built and skippered boats. More recently however there has been a dramatic increase in interest from across Europe and beyond with entries from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Although still a great adventure, the race is now highly professional and sailed in high-tech boats.
A Minitransat 6,50 must fit in a box rule, as defined by the Class Mini Association.
Click here to view the 2006 class rules.
The Box Rule is defined as:
Maximum overall length of hull: 6.50m.
Maximum beam: 3.00m.
Maximum draft: 2.00m.
Maximum distance from the bottom of the keel to the top of the highest sail is: 14.00m.
GBR 444 is with accordence with the Classe Mini rules 2007.
She can carry up to 400 Litres of water ballast, for improved performance.
She carries 8 sails on board: Mainsail, reefable Solent, Genneker, light mast head Asymetric kite, medium mast head Asymetric kite with a reef to go to fractional, Code 5, reefable storm jib, and a trysail.
GBR 444 is a very well known Mini, within the Mini Class. She has competed in 5 single-handed transatlantic races, producing excellent results. 4 top ten's and a 1st in 2000. She performs best in the Atlantic swell rather than the coastal chop due to her volume in the bow, helping to prevent nosediving. Her best sailing angle is downwind in strong breeze, the majority of the Minitransat race is downwind!!
