The second leg of the La Boulangère Mini Transat sets sail this Saturday at 3 pm Irish time. The race departs from Santa Cruz de La Palma in the Canary Islands, heading to Saint-François in Guadeloupe over 2,700 miles.
After a disrupted start and a popular stopover in the Canaries, 89 skippers are ready for the next challenge. Notably absent is Japanese sailor Hajime Kokumai, who faced misfortune in the Bay of Biscay.
A three-week break allowed teams to make repairs after the demanding initial leg. Many skippers faced challenges, especially in the production boat class, with structural problems requiring significant fixes.
Mark O’Connor from the National Yacht Club had a comparatively lighter load, replacing his bow sprit and addressing halyard cover chaff. He stated, “It’s all part of the game.”
Saturday marks the beginning of a high-stakes journey across the Atlantic. The fleet will navigate a virtual mark located approximately 175 nautical miles southwest of the Canaries before turning west.
The start is positioned to take advantage of good west-bound trade winds, steering the fleet into safer, southerly routes. Current weather conditions suggest a ridge of high pressure with light winds in the Canaries.
Sutton’s Grainne Costigan prepares to embark on the high-stakes Atlantic crossing in the La Boulangère Mini Transat
Ahead of departure, competitors participated in a traditional Parade in the bay of Santa Cruz de La Palma on Wednesday. "It’s an opportunity to put everything back in order before the start," said one competitor.
Ireland’s representation includes Sutton’s Grainne Costigan, ready to tackle the Atlantic crossing.
