Mini Transat 2003

News from the French class association

In a release from Classe Mini, the Mini class association in France, they have announced that the 'wild card' entries - ie those who got special dispensation because they had either done the race before or came with particularly impressive qualifications - have been officially renamed - wait for it - Derogations to the Calendar of Qualification, which we think will definitely catch on...

Classe Mini say they are aware of the problems of those outside of Europe who are attempting to qualify for the Mini Transat - one can think in particular of Liz Wardley and Chris Sayer who currently have boats in build in New Zealand.

This year the numbers of entries has been up to 70 and of these a maximum of six will be wildcards (or perhaps DCQs). Potential DCQs must have carried out a 1,000 mile singlehanded qualifier (to be signed off by the race committee at least three months before the start) plus 1,000 miles of racing in the official 2003 Mini calendar, including one with a leg of at least 500 miles.

The application to the race committee with appropriate documentation must be in by March 1, 2003. A list of the selected skipper is to be published on 1 April, while the final list will be published at the end of the Transgascogne race