Simon Curwen

James Boyd profiles an unusual Mini-Transat competitor

After getting the agreement of his family and time off from his company - 12 September until 7 December - Curwen set about his campaign with meticulous precision. There was the opportunity to build a new boat, but this would involve work up time which his business life simply didn’t permit. Instead he opted to buy what many considered to be the top boat from the 1999 Mini Transat.

His red Mini was built and raced by Lionel Lemonchois, one of France’s top race boat preparateurs, who has worked for many top singlehanded Open 60 and trimaran campaigns and is an experienced sailor himself - aside from competing in several Minis Lemonchois was also on board Cam Lewis’ Team Adventure in The Race. Despite being a favourite in the last race, the boat dismasted early on the first leg.

The boat, now remained QDS after Curwen’s company, is a design by Marc Lombard who has been responsible for the Open 60s Sill and Whirlpool. She has a canting keel, like most of the modern Minis, but what sets her apart is just how well set up the boat is - the result of Lemonchois’ experience in the class and his attention to detail and Curwen continuing this.

"Lionel has been a great support," says Curwen. Lemonchois sailed the boat back to the UK with Curwen when he bought her in July last year and returned to the UK this summer to check her keel bolts.

In terms of the finances, Curwen says it would have cost him the best part of £100,000 to mount a top new boat campaign for the Mini Transat, where £40,000 might be recouped on the sale of the boat after the race.

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