The Mini Atlantique has had three official roles since its launch on 22 July have to accept. Joint favourite Caroline Boule (Here with Benoït Marie in the Mini Fastnet) has, with its innovative Manuard Superfoiler “Nicomatic – Petit Bateau” was forced to withdraw from the race following technical problems. The 28-year-old from Ploemeur in Brittany, who is sharing her project with Benoït Marie, had to withdraw on 26 July, four days after the start.
Mini Atlantique: Hénon-Steck and Wehde put up a good fight
This left just ten Protos still in the race, including Carla Hénon-Steck in her 2005 Manuard Proto “Bahia Express”. The young German-French sailor had got off to a good start in the first half of the race from Les Sables-d’Olonne to Orta, before temporarily dropping back to last place. She has since fought her way back up to seventh place, though she remains some 350 nautical miles behind the top favourite, Julien Letissier, on the 2023 Raison Proto “Branchet”.
In extremely light winds on Tuesday morning, the fastest Proto still had around 190 nautical miles to go to reach the stage finish in Horta in the Azores. Behind him, just 19 nautical miles adrift, Koki Sawada on the “DMG Mori Sailing Academy 2” was battling to catch up with the leader. The Japanese sailor is sailing a 2022 Raison Proto.
In the production-class boats, two solo sailors – Anne-Justine Dion (“Kalisto”) and Rémy Balze (“Gsea Design – Hep Diskrog”) – have so far withdrawn. The fleet of the remaining 51 boats has spread out over a distance of almost 1,000 nautical miles. At the front, Ronan Jezegou is setting the pace on the 2024 Raison Maxi 650 “Irish Express”, as far as is possible in the light winds of barely a handful of knots as they approach Horta.
In the series boat category, Tom Wehde of Team Next Generation Sailing remains well placed in fourteenth position, within the top third of the fleet in this major race for small boats. On 28 July, the ‘Osterrath’ skipper still had around 270 nautical miles to go to Horta. He will only be able to provide his own analysis of the race once he reaches the finish line, as Mini sailors are not permitted to communicate with the outside world whilst racing.
Orcas ram mini-hull off La Coruña
From the sidelines, the co-partners from Team Next Generation Sailing watched their Mini solo sailor, Tom Wehde, in action. Lennart Burke said: “Tom’s doing really well. What makes me very proud is that he’s keeping up with the leading group and fighting hard. He doesn’t give up – he’s changing sails, trimming them and, no doubt, doing a lot of steering as well.”
Looking out over the fleet, Burke sees an exciting situation: “The fleet has spread out a bit from north to south. If the right southerly wind comes along in about 18 to 24 hours at 15 to 20 knots and they start reaching towards the finish, then things will get really exciting again.”
Although he has not yet officially withdrawn, Guillaume Wehrlen has sought shelter in the port of La Coruña with his 2016 Verdier-Pogo “Pogalap 1”. The Frenchman had initially suffered damage to his rudder blades during the night of 23–24 July and therefore intended to head for La Coruña. His misfortune worsened when he encountered a pod of orcas around ten nautical miles from the harbour entrance. His account sounded frightening.
Mini Atlantique: Speedboats rescue Mini sailors
According to Wehrlen’s account, the Orcas did not – as is often the case – target the rudders of his Mini, but instead rammed the side of the boat’s hull directly. Wehrlen raised the alarm and, thanks to the boat’s proximity to the harbour, quickly received assistance from two speedboats. One managed to chase the Orcas away, whilst the other towed Wehrlen’s Mini into the harbour.
The Mini sailors have now been racing for six days in the race formerly known as Les Sables-Les Açores-Les Sables, which has only been held under its new name, Mini Atlantique, since this year. Those leading the leg are likely to close in on Horta more quickly from Wednesday onwards.
A look back! The soloists set off from Mini Atlantique on 22 July:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter