Petit Bateau field builds

The solo race alternative to this year's Transat for smaller boats gathers momentum

Entries have now risen to 18 for the Petit Bateau 2004 Singlehanded Race - way beyond the organiser's expections.

The back-to-basics concept of the race and its challenges course, as well as the opportunity for Star 2005 qualification (the Corinthian version of the OSTAR now being run by the Royal Western YC), have attracted top solo sailors to Mylor Yacht Club, Falmouth for the 17 July start.

The international fleet comprises of seven Dutch, four Belgian, two French and five British skippers who will compete over the course of nearly 1000 miles from Falmouth to Kinsale in Southern Ireland to Gijon in northern Spain to Camaret in France. With an entry limit of 20 anyone still thinking of entering will need to be quick.

The six OSTAR veterans in the fleet can count 10 singlehanded transatlantic races between them including class records and wins in all the classes for the smaller monohulls. Mary Falk holds the record for the fastest in the 35 foot class again sails QII, while Michel Kleinjans, who holds the record for the fastest in the 30 foot class, has entered in his powerful Open 40 Roaring Forty. Ronny Nollet is racing his Open 40 La Promese, in which he won the 40 foot class in the 2000 Ostar. Pieter Adriaans Open 40 Robosail (ex- Syllogic) and Round Britain 2002 class winner returns with its innovative wingmast rig. It will be an exciting battle between these three top Open 40s.

The two ex-Mini Transat racers, Olivier Desport series winner in 2001 Mini Transat and Paul Peggs a Round Britain class winner, have completed three Mini Transats and now sail JOD 35s. Harry Vogel, prize winner in the OSTAR 2000, enters his recently modified water ballasted JOD 35. The three JOD 35s should make for an interesting race within a race.

Alice's Mirror with Jerry Freeman at the helm has contested three OSTAR since 1984 and numerous AZAB and Round Britain races could be a dark horse, while other AZAB and RBR racers include Nico Budel in the Hayai and Mervyn Wheatley in Tamarind.

New faces from the Dutch and Belgium singlehanded scene are, sail maker Ian Wittevrongel in his J/92, along Henk Bulthuis in his new J/109 and Dik Geurts F&F110 will be hard to beat, especially in the IRC category, as will experienced French skipper Pierre-Yves Chatelin, who has chartered a Figaro for solo practice while he awaits the completion of a new Open 40 aimed at STAR2005.

Three fast trimarans will be hoping for line honours two from Holland and one from Belgium, Leon Bart in his elegant new CC37 Hound Van Hout, Ralph Marx in the well proven Shockwave and the experienced Egon Plovier with an F31 called WE3 R1.

This month also marks the fourth birthday for Petit Bateau. It was four years ago during the build up to the 2000 OSTAR that a small group of skippers sailing in the smaller classes got together to form Petit Bateau as a self help internet group to look after the interests of the small boat sailors in the fleet. Now four years down the line it has gone from strength to strength. The Transat this year is only for the larger classes 50-60 footers hence the reason for the PB2004 race this year, to fill a gap in the calendar. The STAR race (Singlehanded Trans Atlantic Race) will be next year for the smaller classes, by the Royal Western YC.

The PB 2004 is shaping up to be an exciting event.

For further details of the race contact PB2004@petitbateau.org.uk or visit the web site www.petitbateau.org.uk for current entry list and race reports. Or call Paul Peggs +447802 640700.

Petit Bateau 2004 is sponsored by – QUANTUM SAILS, EURONAV and HYDE SAILS

Entry list:

Skipper	Boat Name	LOA	Sail Number	Type
Jerry Freeman	Alice's Mirror	9.75	41	Mono
Paul Peggs	Audacious	10.6	GBR5167T	Mono
Dik Geurts	Bandos	11	NED4771	Mono
Henk Bulthuis	Chillout!	10.9	NED6886	Mono
Pierre-Yves Chatelin	Destination Calais	9.14	101	Mono
Nico Budel	Hayai	12.4	NED6281	Mono
Leon Bart	Houd Van Hout	11.3	CC37	Tri
Ian Wittevrongle	Jaralella	9.2	BEL920	Mono
Ronny Nollet	La Promesse	12.2	BEL463	Mono
Mary Falk	QII	10.7	90	Mono
Michel Kleinjans	Roaring Forty	12.2	BEL56	Mono
Pieter Adriaans	Robosail	12.2	6280	Mono
Ralph Marx	Shockwave	10.4	-	Tri
Mervyn Wheatley	Tamarind	12.8	GBR6049T	Mono
Harry Vogel	Tzigane	10.6	BEL15013	Mono
Egon Plovier	WE3R1	9.45	BEL31	Tri
Jim Pain	T.B.A.	-	-	-
Olivier Desport	T.B.A.	10.6	-	Mono