Mini Transat into port again

Race Director has chosen to send the fleet to northern Spain after all

The Race Director of the Mini Transat has decided to implement plan B, which had been mentioned before the start at the last competitor briefing. The fleet will now stop at the port of Sada, near La Coruna, to wait for the strong southwesterly winds around Cape Finisterre forecast for 1 and 2 November to moderate and veer northwest. The fleet is expected to arrive on the night of 31 October-1 November.

The crossing the Bay of Biscay takes around four days to clear the entire fleet. This window seemed to have finally opened yesterday morning, but conditions are deteriorating in the Bay of Biscay again, hence the decision of the Race Director, who does not want to take any risk with the tail end of the fleet.

The Race Director chose to warn the front runners before the point where the strategic options open up for the fleet, this to ensure sporting fairness. A finish line will be set up in Sada. The ranking of the first leg will the accumulated times for Douarnenez - Sada and Sada - Lanzarote.

Competitors were warned by VHF through the intermediary of the support boats and over HF radio during the weather forecast. Confirmation of the receipt of this message was requested from each competitor.