Mini Transat field increased

September's biennial solo race now bumped up to 84 entries

After consultation between the Classe Mini and Grand Pavois Organisation, The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50 is to increase the size of its fleet to accept 84 skippers instead of 72 as originally planned.

After 18 editions this legendary race still attracts many sailors be they amateurs or professionals. The 84 skippers will represent 15 countries and will all line up for the start 25 September. They will set sails from La Rochelle on the solo 4,200 nautical mile transatlantic race, without assistance, without routing and without navigational aid, bound for Salvador de Bahia, Brazil via Funchal, Madeira.

For the president of the Classe Mini, Olivier Avram, having 84 entries instead of 72 gives "the proof of the vitality and the accessibility of a Mini circuit that attracts more fans than ever as well as young talents of ocean racing".

GPO's chairman, Alain Pochon said the constant concern of the organizer to meet the expectations of the sailors while maintaining the priority on making this transatlantic the safest possible," as in the previous four editions, GPO and the Classe Mini have had to increase the number of competitors at the start. It also proves the growing success of The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50."

12 more contestants also means an additional escort boat, thus they will be 7 to follow the race from Charente-Maritime to the state of Bahia in Brazil.

It is also potentially good news for British entries Pip Hare and Dan Dytch who have until now been on the waiting list.