It seems that a prolonged waiting for “the sea weather” is over: as we already reported, the start of the 22nd transatlantic sailing race yachting singles Mini Transat 2019 is scheduled for next Saturday, October 5th.
The regatta participants will leave the hospitable harbour of La Rochelle early in the morning, and at 10: 30 a.m. local time the whistle blows to start the competition. The first stage of the race – to the Canary Islands may take about a week and a half. In the Bay of Biscay is now more or less calm. With the unpleasant weather surprises sailors may face when entering into the Atlantic, after they pass Cape finistère. “The conditions certainly no picnic, but the wind, and most importantly, wave is a perfectly acceptable” – noted the organizers of the regatta. Thus, after two weeks of tedious waiting, the racers will finally plunge into that desirable element, met with the which has devoted years of preparation.
For Russian Irina Gracheva acting in the serial division yachts Mini 6.50, suddenly appeared before the regatta, the time was not a problem, and in recognition of the athletes, on the contrary, were very useful. “It was important to hold it so as not to burn out and psychologically save yourself the time of start, – said Irina. – While nl was my training for the race, and especially over the last two months, when I was working almost seven days a week, I’ve had serious fatigue. And now I was able to relax. In addition, I finally was able to do many of the things to which had never reached his hands.”
Commenting on the decision of the organizers to start the race on Saturday, Irina noted that the first part of the race to the exit in the Atlantic, will be held in a cold front and almost all the time in tacking. “My job as soon as possible to round the Cape of Finistere, and pass along the Portuguese coast. According to the forecast there is expected to be very strong, gusty wind speeds of 35-40 knots, so it will be very important to quickly clear the area. As you know, with a very strong wind to go fast still will not work – it is impossible to carry full sail, and the safety suffers greatly. Especially at night and in a big wave. I will try to go through this stage as best you can, but first and foremost – safe. It is important to reach the finish without much damage to continue to start across the Atlantic”, – said Irina.
Part of the Russian jahtsmenov in the Mini Transat is supported by the companies of NORD consulting, Griffon, Ullman Sails, Fordewind-Regatta, Gill, A. P. I. Marine, Sail Ropes, NAVTEAM, WISTA Russia, “Alfa insurance”, Aquapac, “Mobile century”, Nautix, MX6, Lyophilise & Co.
Sponsorship Irina Gracheva provides Path Yachting Foundation.
Andrei Petrov
