Mini-Transat: Stage one cancelled - "We would have sent them to their doom"

The first stage of the La Boulangère Mini-Transat has been cancelled. The organisers informed the participating soloists of this on Thursday afternoon. According to another press release issued late in the evening, the decision was made due to "catastrophic weather conditions" that "could jeopardise the integrity of the boats and the single-handed sailors".

Mini-Transat: Stage one cancelled

The single-handed sailors have changed their routes accordingly and are calling at harbours on the Iberian Peninsula. There they will wait until the strong winds and high waves caused by Hurricane Gabriele have subsided. The Mini-Transat participants were informed via their trackers or by the crews on the escort boats.

According to the last statement in the evening, the unusually strong tropical depression "is currently approaching the Azores before moving on towards the Portuguese coast, where it is expected to arrive at the weekend". The quick decision to cancel the stage was made in consultation between the race management and organisers. It is expected that Gabriele will reach the fleet's current area on Saturday, so that all sailors still at sea will have enough time to seek shelter in good conditions, according to the organisers.

"The aim is for everyone to be safe before midday on Saturday," confirmed race director Denis Hugues. The category 4 hurricane with wind gusts of up to 60 knots was categorised as one of the strongest of the year. The organisers compared it to the storm Ciaran, which swept across France two years ago and caused severe damage.

Gabriele would have threatened 80 per cent of the fleet

The race director continued: "The large area of low pressure, ex-Gabriele, that is approaching Portugal is moving more towards the south-east. Together with meteorologist Christian Dumard, we estimate that it would have threatened 80 per cent of the fleet. Faced with this very southerly system, the boats would have found themselves in eight metre high waves. An uncontrollable situation, we would have sent them to their doom ..."

The race organisers in the Mini-Transat confirmed that all skippers had received the message. It said: "We broadcast it via the boats' tracker and at 4pm UTC (editor's note: 6pm German time). They are now all heading for the coast... Depending on their position, they will head for Faro, Portimão, Cascais, Peniche or Leixões in the south of Portugal. The end of the fleet will be heading more towards La Coruña in Spain; a few towards Baiona," explained Denis Hugues.

Frontrunner Benoït Marie continues on his course

"Nicomatic - Petit Bateau skipper Benoït Marie, who controlled the field, announced that he would continue his course towards Santa Cruz de La Palma. The organisers reported that his position "will allow him to escape the strongest winds, even if he will have to contend with very rough seas". According to the organisers, he will "of course be welcomed by the organisation".

The night's tracking indicated that Alexandre Demange from Team DMG Mori Sailing Academy 2, who came second in the proto classification, would also continue on his course, while the third-placed Swiss proto skipper Felix Oberle sailed towards the coast.

According to the organisers, the team on land has also issued a 'red alert' so that the scattered single-handed sailors can get their phones back as soon as possible once they have reached the Spanish ports. Among them will be 'Monoka' skipper Hendrik Lenz, who recently sailed towards the stage harbour of Santa Cruz de La Palma in an outstanding third place in the series boat ranking and, like others, would certainly have liked to continue this race. In this case, however, the race organisers have put safety above the interests of the regatta. Further information on the ongoing safety measures will be provided on Friday.