O’Connor Nails the Start in Mini Transat as Irish Duo Launch

26th October 2025

Afloat.ie Team

Mark O’Connor (closest to the camera) sails off the Canaries in the Mini Transat start, winning a strong start at the committee boat end

Solo sailor Mark O'Connor made a sharp start at the committee‑boat end of the line on the opening leg of Saturday's Mini Transat.

As Afloat reported previously, he is one of two Irish skippers in the race, alongside Gráinne Costigan.

The race started from the Canaries and will cover some 2,600 nautical miles to Guadeloupe.

O’Connor said: “The nerves are definitely starting to kick in, but it’s a good kind of nerves.”

Costigan, from Sutton, is also in the field and will aim to hold pace as the fleet heads into more complex weather shifts.

Early positioning is critical, with light winds expected near the start, and tactical moves will be necessary to reach the trade winds farther south.

See the race tracker here

Published in Solo Sailing

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