On the seventh day of the race, almost all the mini-sailors passed through the roughly seven nautical mile wide eye of the needle between the Cape Verdean islands of São Vicente and São Antão, through which the race organisers sent them due to the weather.
But not all solo skippers have already left Cape Verde: four minists are still in the harbour of Mindelo, which they are using for a final repair stop before the upcoming 2000 nautical miles to Martinique: For problems with the rig or rudder blades, for example, or with the autopilot. The participants are allowed to make repair stops ashore or at anchor, but these must last at least twelve hours - a kind of time penalty.
AlsoAndreas DeubelGerman starter in the series boat, is one of seven sailors so far to have made a stop in Cape Verde. Apparently, Deubel once again had problems with his wind measurement system. On the first leg from La Rochelle to Las Palmas, he had to go up the mast at sea because the radio antenna had blocked the wind gauge wheel. The failure of the wind instruments is one of the worst-case scenarios for single-handed sailors, as the indispensable autopilot is fed with the data. In the meantime, Deubel is sailing again and trying to catch up with the field.
Lina Rixgens meanwhile, is sailing in the main field of the series boats, currently in 32nd place with a gap of almost 250 nautical miles to the leading boat in the class. The 23-year-old student had opted for a passage close under the coast of São Antão - an area where the island's altitude (almost 2000 metres) means there is wind cover, but where local wind effects can occur. Rixgens came through the weak wind area well, as didJörg Riecherswho is currently in third place in the Proto classification: over 80 miles behind favourite Ian Lipinski, who has been ahead of the field since the start of the race, but within 15 miles of Simon Koster, the experienced Mini-Transat sailor from Switzerland, who is currently in second place.
Oliver Tessloff also opted for the route under São Antão instead of dropping to the south-west after passing the waypoint like most of the field in order to find good wind. He lost six places as a result. Currently in 18th place, he is trying to catch up with the front of the main group of series boats again.
The French young stars of the mini scene are leading the way with remarkable aplomb:Erwann Le Draoulec, the youngest starter in this year's race at the age of 21, is in the lead, 20 nautical miles behind his training partnerClarisse Crémer, a 27-year-old novice in ocean racing.
Dorel Nacouwhich had to call at the harbour of Boujdour on the Moroccan coast under emergency rigging, is still busy repairing its mast, but wants to get back into the race.
