News from Chris Sayer
"I have only just got back to Caen after 3 weeks away on 403 [his Mini Transat Yacht]. The boat got a good testing again due to the weather and stood up to it better than I did. I left Caen for Pornichet the Saturday that they decieded to delay the Transat AG2R for 4 days due to bad weather. So had a long beat down the channel in a gale with no GPS as both the boat one and handheld backup died (for some reason the antennas packed a sad). Do not know how they use to sail around this place in boats that could not go to windward in the old days without all our modcons.
Made it to Pornichet on time (just) for my appointment with the Classe Mini Measurer. 403 pased fine and I only had to get things like new flares to be ready to race. Lots of those never ending little jobs to do on the boat kept me busy though.
The Select 6,50 (300Nm solo from Pornichet to Pornichet) was the first qualifing race this year for next years mini transat. About 55 boats started and 28 did not finish, yes we had a good long beat to windward in about 25 to 35knots. I took the race very easy, to easy and ended up 5th overall and 2nd proto.
The start was good and it was nice to sail in sight of other minis. Had good boat speed and was in the lead most of the time. But I turned off for the next 200Nm so got left behind and missed the tide gates.
Then it was off to Douarnenez to leave 403 for the mini fastnet and yes there was a nice low to ensure a good long beat to windward, but only had 40 knots for a little while. All good fun. Still I am looking forward to the Mini Fastnet, it will be nice to race 2 handed again for a change.
The Mini Fasntet a 700Nm 2 handed race from Douarnenez around Fastnet Rock and back starts on June the 13th. I am doing this with Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty, one of the parteners of Artech and a sailer in the 2003 mini transat.
The next race I am entered in is the Open Demi-Clý, 980Nm 2 handed from Locmiquýlic (Lorient)- Saint Quay Portrieux - Cardiff, Wales and then back to Locmiquýlic. I hope to be doing this race with PYM who came 2nd in the 1999 mini transat.
After this I am not sure. I would like to do the race to the Azores but really need to fine a naming rights sponsor. As long as I finish the Mini Fastnet or Demi-Clý I will be able to enter the mini transat next year but at this stage there is no way I can offord to. 403 needs a new carbon rig and new sails before the Mini Transat to be competitive so for me it is find a sponsor or sell the boat."
