Jonathan's Mini-6.5 Class solo racer, "Team McLube" (left), Jonathan McKee (right)

SEE RACE UPDATES BELOW PARAGRAPH 3

Jonathan McKee trained and qualified for the 2003 Mini Transat Yacht Race, a 4,200 mile singlehanded ocean race from France to Brazil. The Mini Transat started from La Rochelle September 7. The event featured solo-racing in a high performance 22' boat across the Atlantic in a fleet of 70 boats - the number of boats allowed to qualify for the extreme event.

"This race has always been a dream of mine, and I am grateful to Team McLube for helping to make it possible," explained an enthusiastic Jonathan McKee.

The Mini Transat - now completed - took the select fleet of 70 boats across the Atlantic Ocean - single-handed. The race has two stages: Leg One - 1,200 miles from La Rochelle, France to the Canary Islands. Leg Two - 3,000 miles more straight on to Brazil.

Below are race reports as they came in - arranged with the most recent first:

UPDATE - Warm Welcome For Last Sailors In

October 26, 2003 - Salvador de Bahia, Brazil: He finished like a champion to a fifty strong crowd of skippers, organisers and supports lined up on the pontoons to greet him. It all came as a huge shock to Bernard Morin (47 – Jogging International) after his weeks of solitude, as did the music, caipirinha and the token lob into the port on crossing the finish line on Saturday at 20h46 (local time). There is now just one sailor still at sea. Jacques Vincente (355 – Action Innocence) is in a league of his own...literally.

At 58 Morin has completed his first Transat as the most senior racer on the oldest boat of the fleet (a 1985 coco). Terribly gaunt ("my wife hardly recognized me: he joked) and as black as a crow, the former proof reader for France-Soir , has won his bet, but how long and difficult it proved to be to get to know Salvador de Bahia...

For six days, Bernard was sailing without a pilot. His four automatic pilots taken onboard in La Rochelle broke, one after the other. He helmed like that for 15 hours a days. Bernard has just one thing on his mind : "I used to think of the little restaurants near where I live in Paris. That’s what I’ll be doing next week." He could certainly do with it. Bernard has lost between six and seven kilos -- Translation Kate Jennings

• For those of you who didn't follow Chris Sayer's "unofficial" race in the Mini Transat -- unofficially he finished third overall.

Skipper - Leg 1 Time - Leg 2 Time - Overall Time - Place
Tripon - 9d 10h 47.03 - 20d 02h 38.04 - 29d 13h 25.07 - 1st
Merigeaux - 9d 10h 39.20 - 20d 19h 58.14 - 30d 06h 37.34 - 2nd
Sayer - 9d 05h 39.00 - 21d 02h 07.00 - 30d 07h 46.00 -3rd (unofficial)

Source: www.transat650.org

Fleet Finishes Up Tuesday

October 24, 2003 - Salvador de Bahia, Brazil: The last miles are dragging for the three soloists still expected in Salvador de Bahia. They‚re tacking their way along, distancing themselves from the coast in an attempt to find a sniff of wind... without success.

As a result this Thursday morning, Gaspard Franeau (109 ˆ Avocats sans Frontières) was still 164 miles from the goal, making 5.3 knots. Bernard Morin (47- Jogging International) was the furthest from the coast, 217 miles from the line, making a mere 4.3 knots. The first of them is now expected around 2100 hours on Friday. The second at the beginning of the afternoon on Saturday.

The road is even longer for Jacques Valente (355- Action Innocence) bringing up the rear of the fleet. After a long stopover in the Canaries, he set off far behind the others. He then remained stuck for days on end in the doldrums making just one knot. He is still 775 miles from Salvador and even though his speed is currently 6 knots, his now monotonous trek is set to last until Tuesday.

On shore, the pressure has dropped off with the passing of „judgement day‰ this Thursday. All claims had to be examined by the jury before the official general ranking could be established. There were no fundamental modifications to come out of it.

It was then time for the medical report by Antoine Grau, race doctor and a former Mini-sailor himself. Brit Ian Munslow is the weight loss champion having lost 9 kgs, just ahead of Frenchman Brieuc Maisoneuve and Irishman Cian Mc Carthy (8 kgs), Frenchman Lionel Rubio de Téran with 3 kgs and Swede Pia L‚Obry 2 kgs.

Yves Niort (388 ˆ Demi Clé Shipchandler) and Fabrice Guillerm (168 ˆ Rault Le Service Alimentaire) who changed course to help Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (321 ˆ Artech-Caen La Mer) after he hit a whale obtained a bonus of 12h50 and 4h30 respectively. The first climbs from 17th to 15th place and the second from 21st to 17th place in the Proto fleet. -- Translation Kate Jennings. Source: www.transat650.org

*** The naval architect Pierre Rolland, fourth in the Mini Transat, is in El Salvador de Bahia. Meanwhile back in France, the shipyard Latitude 48°24 ' launched his latest design, the Ti-Zef, a 6/50 meters length sailing ship in conformity with the Mini series rules.

The new boat has been in build for two years, an unusually long gestation period for a Mini, but that was by the request of the customer, who chose to spread out the financing of the boat over that period, as he is not intent on a full-on racing schedule.

Rolland took as a starting point the famous mini Hakuna Matata, one of the minis built in 1996 which finished second in the Mini-Fastnet in 1997. The deck is patterned after prototypes of the Extrado generation, Morph'eau, Déolen…

The boat should be a bit lighter than the Pogo 2 and Ginto, with an epoxy hull and vacuum bagged polyester deck, as employed by the builder for some prototype Minis. Now that the first is built, Ollivier Bordeau is ready to build more, but knows that while the Ti-Zef design meets the series design rules, class rules stipulate that a single builder must make ten to be a valid series class boat, and thus the boat may never be validated as a Series Mini.

Source: www.seasailsurf.com

What's Next For Jonathan?

Jonathan McKee believes he may have sold his Mini to a Frenchman. He then returns to the US where he is to become part of the crew of Randall Pitman's new radical 93ft Ed Dubois-designed maxi alongside his brother Charlie and a number of other former OneWorlders. "It'll be fun to be part of a team again and it will be nice to paid instead of having to pay…"

McKee says that he hopes the Mini Transat will not be the last solo offshore racing he does, although it does take its toll. "I really enjoyed it. I had a great time - not just this race, but the whole year. I did show some aptitude for this kind of thing for whatever reasons and I enjoyed my time on the water - I wasn't sure if I would but I really did. So it is hard to walk away and say no, never again. But it is difficult on the family too - for my wife, and I have one child now and another one coming. This whole adventure wasn't so easy on them. It is quite an ego-centric sort of thing to do and you have to be a bit careful about that. But if someone came along and handed me the keys to an Open 60 I'd certainly have to think about it!" - Source: www.thedailysail.com

Every Finish Has A Special Meaning

October 22, 2003 - Salvador, Brail: James Bird, the youngest British competitor ever in the Mini Transat and the youngest competitor in this, the 2003 edition, has arrived safely in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. He arrived at 0343 hrs 39 seconds (GMT), Tuesday 21st October and has been enjoying a well deserved drink. A further excuse for a party in Bahia, was the homecoming of Brazilian sailor Gustavo Pacheco. With him came a visit from the Head of State in Salvador de Bahia and a frenzy of Atabaque drums. There are still a handful of sailors out racing... -- Translation by Kate Jennings

Monday Finishers (local time)
Daniel Schaffer at 17h55’19’’ (proto)
Gonzalo Botin at 18h09’41’’ (series)
Rémy Beauvais at 19h36’30’’
Laurent Jaunin at 21h06 32 (series)
Yves Niort at 21h54’30’’ (series)
Fabrice Guillerm at 22h15’05’’(series)
Alessandro Zamagna at 22h 49’53’’ (proto)

Tuesday Finishers (local time)
James Bird at 00h43'39'' (proto)
Christophe Dary at 3h58'00'' (series)
Arsène Ledertheil at 7h35’20’’ (proto)
Artur Barret at 7h46’34’’ (proto)
Barnabé Chivot at 8h33’40’’ (proto)
Isabelle Magois at 9h 10’15’’ (proto)
Gustavo Pacheco at 10h16’25’’ (proto)

Source: www.transat650.org

A Breed Unto Themselves

Salvador, Brazil: Mini sailors are a breed unto themselves with the capacity to describe the worst living conditions and stress with a smile.

Sébastien Roubinet went through it all in the second leg. "I could tell you everything there is to know on jury rigs", he laughs. 800 miles from Salvador he dismasted for the first time.He then changed course for the island of Fernando where he managed to put up what remained of the mast and left again. Then, just 90 miles from the finish he heard a loud crash: the mast fell a second time due to the failure of the shroud again. I decided that enough was enough at that point and had to laugh. I thought I’d never get here and warned myself to be careful on entering the port or a freighter would go into me’’. Roubinet made a second jury rig and continued, safely, on his way.

The skipper of Pays Granvillais, Brieuc Maisoneuve, also had his fair share of problems during the second leg: two out of three pilots failed. His spinnaker ripped in two and his boom broke. Then the doldrums wouldn’t let go of him, isolating him: "I stayed in my bunk for three or four days with a temperature of 40° and drank 5 litres of water in 24 hours. When I was ok again there were just 20 litres left and 1500 miles to cover." As a result Brieuc rationed himself to one litre and a portion of freeze-dried food per day but vowed that he would have to do it all over again.

Second Brit, the young James Bird, is due into Salvador tomorrow. He is currently in 44th with under 70 miles to go... -- Translation by Kate Jennings

The Arrivals at local time on Sunday Series:
Brieuc Maisoneuve at 22h24’18’’
Monday
Peter De Smedt at 3h45’45’’ (proto)
Adam Seamans at 3h51’01’’ (Series)
Cécile Poujol at 5h26’33’’ (Series)
Sébastien Roubinet at 5h44’19’’ (Series)
David Sautret at 7h01’54’’ (Series)
Stéphane Ayrault at 11h54'28'' (proto)
Patrick Bot at 12h09'58''

Source: www.transat650.org

We Have A Winner!

Similar to what we see in race car events, the winner comes from behind the leaders with consistency and surviving the longest with their equipment. Twenty-eight year old Armel Tripon sailing Moulin Roty, a 1995 Finot-Conq design with a fixed keel has won the second leg of the Mini Transat, beating Alex Pella by over 60 miles. He crossed the Salvador de Bahai finish line at 15hrs, 40mins, 04secs (French time) Friday afternoon taking not only the second leg win but has won the overall Mini Transat 2003. He managed to sail his boat consistently all the way swapping places with Jonathan McKee and Sam Manuard all the way. However, dismastings for McKee last Friday and Manuard on Thursday, left Tripon ready to pounce and make the most of his rivals' misfortunes.- Source: www.yachtingworld.com

***Salvador, Brazil: Victory was just an arm’s length away. Samuel Manuard (431 – Tip Top Too – Le Grau du Roi – Port Camargue) was 80 miles from Salvador de Bahia. Everything was in place to welcome the winner and then at 0500 (local time) Samuel set off his distress beacon signifying "I have a problem aboard that I am dealing with myself. I’m staying in the race. I don’t require assistance." At the time of the incident the wind was blowing very strong at a well established 25 knots with gusts of over 30 knots. The seas were choppy and breaking. Whether he had rudder problems or dismasted and waited for first light to construct a jury rig remains to be seen. A flyover by an aircraft later confirmed that he had dismasted. The damage occurred at the same place as that of Jonathan McKee (247 - Team Mc Lube) six days prior. McKee is in Recife carrying out repairs. Manuard shortly thereafter signalled for assistance and a tow into port.

First to finish was Armel Tripon on Moulin Roty, finishing at 1340 local time on Friday October 17. In so doing Tripon wins the 2003 edition of the Transat 650 outright as he has more than the required eight minutes over Richard Mérigeaux from La Rochelle.

Second to finish at 2335 on Friday was Spaniard Alex Pella.

Provisional General Ranking at 1500 UT, 19 October Proto :

1. Armel Tripon 29d 13h 25' 07"
   2. Richard Mérigeaux 30d 06h 37' 34"
   3. Alex Pella 30d 08h 47' 24"
   4. Pierre Rolland 30d 15h 36' 59"
   5. Bruno Garcia 30d 20h01'45"
   6. Pascal Doin 31d 01h 56' 46"
   7. François Cuinet 31d 04h 34' 53"
   8. Enrico Podesta 31d 05h 46' 49"
   9. Willy Garcia 31d 07h 10'26"
   10. Donald Wright 31 d 20h38'45"
   11. Marc Gascons 32d 01h 55' 46"
   12. Ian Munslow 32d 5h 08'10' 13. Luis Irisarri 32d 12h 45 42"
   14. Thomas Valentin 35d 10h 09' 05"
   
   

Series:
1. Erwan Tymen 31d 13h 46' 04"
2. David Raison 31d 17h 23' 54"
3. David Sineau 31d 20h 01' 55"
4. Yann Riou 32d 08h 31' 36"
5. Manuel Castilla 32d 19h 32' 21"

Source: www. transat650.org

Mother Nature Plays Rough With Leader

Sam Manuard leader of the second leg of the Mini Transat has stopped in his tracks just 80 miles from the finish line at El Salvador de Bahia. Race organizers believe he may have broken his mast.

October 17, 2003 - At 0500 (local) time as Manuard was heading for the finish line he suddenly reduced speed and changed course. He is currently (at 1420) 15 miles from the coast doing 1-2kts and is thought to be under jury rig. Race support vessels are on their way to meet Manuard but weather conditions - 30kts of breeze and big seas - are making progress difficult. - Source: www.yachtingworld.com

Official standings at 1500 GMT Thursday:
1. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty, 102 miles from finish
2. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too, 110 mff
3. Alex Pell, Aquate,- Santaiveri- Texknit, 154 mff
4. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, 181 mff
5. Richard Mérigeaux, Bon Pied Bon Oeil, 221 mff
Source: www.transat650.org

McKee Makes Landfall - Safe & Sound

October 16, 2003 - Jonathan McKee is onshore at Recife. Last Friday night, while he was asleep, the D1 shroud failed, and the mast broke above the 1st (lowest) spreader. He constructed a jury rig and was able to keep sailing but only on one tack. His plan was to get to Salvador if the wind direction cooperated. But the winds headed, and his jury rig would periodically fall down and he would have to re-rig, so he made the choice to head into Recife.

Jonathan sounded well and strong on the phone and, even though he is disappointed that he couldn't finish and that this gear failure kept him from winning, he is proud of his performance. "Chalk it up to bad luck", he said "I have had so much good luck and been so blessed. This was just a random bad luck incident."

What remains is to get a good meal, and a decent night's sleep, then pack up the boat and get it to Salvador for shipping back to France. - Libby Johnson McKee

Note: A huge thanks to the many people who have called and e-mailed with their words of support and empathy both for Jonathan and for me here at home. And to those who just said a little prayer for Jonathan as he was struggling to get down the coast. Your positive energy was very much appreciated. It is great to have such good friends around the globe. - Libby Source: www.j-mckee.com

*** Salvador, Brazil: The low pressure front over Salvador de Bahia is not letting up. In fact the night was very feisty with established winds on land of 25 knots with gusts of 30-35 knots. This fairly localized east south-easterly depression is set to continue until Sunday.

For the frontrunners expected in Brazil around the latter part of Thursday morning (+ 4 hours for the UK) the conditions "are going to knock them around " foresees race director Denis Hugues. Hard times until the finish then. Barring incident between now and then the winner looks likely to be Samuel Manuard (431 – Tip Top Too-Le Grau du Roi- Port Camargue). From the county of Gard in southern France, Manuard has increased his lead again during the night and now has 80 miles on Armel Tripon (151 – Moulin Rôty), who is still holding on firmly to his second place. Tripon precedes Alex Pella (240 - Aquatec Santiveri –Texknit) by 48 miles and Pierre Rolland (347 – Extrado) by 70 miles. On a virtually identical course the order of this leading foursome does not look set to alter before the Marina in Salvador. Unless….

Jonathan McKee (247 – Team Mc Lube) made his way for Recife where he put into port. This morning, he was sailing two miles off the Brazilian coast. Meantime, Sébastien Roubinet (346- Adrenaline) is continuing under jury rig after his dismasting and making a speed of ... 8 knots.

Though the suspense is losing its intensity amongst the Protos, it has never been so intriguing in the Series fleet. Manuel Castilla (167 – Vision Originale) is still in the lead ahead of David Sineau (428 – France Fermetures), only six miles away and Michel Mirabel (421 – Gwalarn IV), 19 miles away. However the "grandad" further out to the east than his two other rivals, could reap the benefits in the coming hours. With Yann Riou (318- Thrane et Thrane) seven miles behind him and Erwan Tymen (426 – Pogo 2 Navy Lest) a mile further back, there are five possible candidates for victory.

Ian Munslow is today still holding on to 16th with Cian McCarthy in 23rd and James Bird up to 50th.

Top ten positions at latest poll (15 October 1500 UT)

1. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too - Le Grau Du Roi Port Camargue, Proto, 155.1 nm to finish
   2. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty, Proto, 238.3
   3. Alex Pella, Aquatec - Santiveri - Texknit, Proto, 293.2
   4. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, Proto, 311.9
   5. Richard Mérigeaux, Bon Pied Bon Oeil, Proto, 356.8
   6. Bruno Garcia, Saladino, Proto, 408.3
   7. Willy Garcia, Ceylan Diamantes Proto, 410.7
   8. Pascal Doin, ASNQ, Proto, 416.6
   9. Enrico Podesta, Diabolo-Slam, Proto, 435.7
   10. François Cuinet, Proto, 442.0
   Source: www.transat650.org

Leaders 300 Miles From Brazilian Coast; McKee's Crippled Boat Heads Straight For Natal

Salvador, Brazil: In the past few hours Samuel Manuard (431- Tip Top Too-Le Grau du Roi Port Camargue) and Manuel Castilla (167- Vision Originale) have reinforced their domination of their respective categories, Proto and Series. The surprise news comes in the shape of Michel Mirabel (421- Gwalarn IV) who had gone ahead of Yann Riou (318- Thrane & Thrane), David Raison (440- Rayon Liquide), Jean- Pierre Balmès (330- CECIM) and Erwan Tymen (426- Pogo 2 Navy Lest) at the last position report. He is now third in the Series fleet and there is a veritable sprint on to Salvador de Bahia where the leaders are expected on Thursday.

In the Proto fleet, the positions remain fairly similar: the leading trio, Manuard, Tripon and Pella, seemingly pinned in place. The distances between them vary a little but, barring accident, it is in this order that the skippers look set to enter the bay of Tous les Saint. Behind them, Pierre Roland (347- Extrado) continues to lag.

Still officially racing and “virtually” fifth in the fleet, Jonathan Mc Kee (247- Team Mc Lube), unfortunate victim of a dismasting, is now in 30th position due to not having left the island of Fernando to starboard as required. The American is continuing to make towards Salvador de Bahia at 4 knots. If he passes the finish line, it will be up to the jury to decide his penalty for not respecting the course mark.

The fleet is now strewn across the Atlantic and the skippers are encountering very different weather conditions. According to the support vessels, a south- easterly wind between 15 and 25 knots is blowing off the island of Fernando, with confused seas and glorious sunshine. Meantime the most northerly boat of the fleet continues to suffer the effects of the doldrums: a gentle wind, mixed with some squalls and rain. -- Translation Kate Jennings

Official standings at 1500 GMT Tuesday:
1. Samuel Manuard Tip Top Too, 320 miles to finish
2. Armel Tripon Moulin Roty, 389 mtf
3. Alex Pell, Aquatec - Santaiveri- Texknit, 434 mtf
5. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube, 470 mtf
Source: www.transat650.org

Peter Isler has been following McKee's movements - here are some of his observations: "Jonathan has slowed down a bit - probably reflecting a recent header of a few degrees. It looks like there is more near term header (and lighter winds) in his path. If he doesn't have much ability to go to windward, he might be planning put in and not sail along a long lee shore." - Source: www.scuttlebutt.com

What Happened?

Editor's note: This first section with excerpts from several sources was compliled by the Scuttlebutt e-mail newsletters] - There is a lot of speculation about what has happened to American Mini Transat competitor Jonathan McKee. Here are two very different media reports:

• From YachtingUniverse.com, posted on Monday 13 October @ 14:32:20: The uncertainty is over. Jonathan Mc Kee's Team Mc Lube is no longer in the race. After being the victim of a dismasting on Saturday and continuing under jury rig, the American failed to round the island of Fernando course mark to starboard as required.

"He took the shortest route and looks very likely to be heading towards Natal," explains the race management. "He is on a course of 208 degrees that will take him directly to Brazil." Sébastien Roubinet's Adrénaline is following a similar course after suffering the same fate as McKee and is on a direct route towards Natal or Cabedebo, unless he is planning to make the city of Joao Pessoa. McKee and Roubinet are out of play, though they still figure in the rankings as they haven't yet informed race management of their retirement. - Full story: http://tinyurl.com/qsh6

• By Tim Jeffery, Tuesday's Daily Telegraph: The mystery surrounding Jonathan McKee's Mini Transat progress remained unsolved last night. The American double Olympic medallist was still limping along 48 hours after a major technical failure, neither heading for the next waypoint nor having informed race organisers of his precise circumstances. It was on Saturday that McKee triggered his emergency beacon in the sequence that let the Mini Transat organisers know that he was in difficulty but did not require help. - Full story: http://tinyurl.com/qt5v

***Monday, October 13, 2003 - Salvador, Brazil: The Transat 6.50m may well be in its closing stages but the race is still very much on with its multitude of mechanical disciplines. The misfortunes of Jonathan McKee (247 – Team Mc Lube) and Sébastien Roubinet (346 – Adrénaline), now unofficially retired, are evidence of this.

The history of sport is marked out by champions who "couldn’t lose" but have lost all the same. Such thoughts must be passing through the mind of the current leader of the fleet and winner of the first leg, Samuel Manuard (431 – Tip Top Too – Le Grau du Roi Port Camargue). He left the Canaries with a 5hr 36minute lead on Armel Tripon (151 – Moulin Rôty), the only person today who is capable of contesting his supremacy. However, Tripon was 47 miles behind him at the 1500 UT ranking this Monday.

Added to Tipon's plight is the fact that Manuard has gone into overdrive since he gybed past the island of Fernando and was positioned with an instantaneous speed of 9.5 knots. The room for manœuvre is considerably reduced for Armel in these conditions… unless we take into account the uncertainties intrinsically linked with this discipline, that centre around the reliability of each mast, each bowsprit and each rudder blade, as far as the Marina in Salvador de Bahia.

Though Manuard seems to be holding the trump cards amongst the Protos, indecision reigns in the Series fleet. Manuel Castilla (167 – Vision Originale) may well be at the controls but the 26 hours he lost on the first leg to Erwan Tymen (426 – Pogo 2 Navy Lest), seem set to prevent ultimate victory.

The last days of regatta racing are lining up to be particularly feisty with the frontrunners expected in Bahia on Thursday night or Friday morning. Ian Munslow has motored up to 15th place while Cian McCarthy has dropped to 19th. James Bird is currently in 48th. -- translation by Kate Jennings

Top ten positions at latest poll (13 October 1500 UT)
1. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too - Le Grau Du Roi Port Camargue, Proto, 504.4 nm to finish
2. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty, Proto, 551.7
3. Alex Pella, Aquatec - Santiveri - Texknit, Proto, 612.6
4. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, Proto, 624.6
5. Richard Mérigeaux, Bon Pied Bon Oeil, Proto, 693.1
6. Bruno Garcia, Saladino, Proto, 737.9
7. Willy Garcia, Ceylan Diamantes Proto, 738.0
8. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube, Proto, 741.5
9. Pascal Doin, ASNQ, Proto,747.2
10. Enrico Podesta, Diabolo-Slam, 761.8

• Source: www.transat650.org

Troubled Waters For McKee

Salvador, Brazil: Jonathan Mc Kee (247 – Team Mc Lube) woke the race management at 0240 GMT on Saturday morning when he set off his Inmarsat D+ beacon. He then set off another alert at 0310 GMT and a last call at 0340 GMT.

It’s been a bitter experience for Jonathan McKee (247- Team Mc Lube). There is no longer any doubt whatsoever that the American has huge mechanical worries. He set off his Inmarsat D+ beacon on two further occasions since Saturday’s initial notification: once Saturday night and again at 0850 GMT Sunday morning. This green alarm means "I have problems that I’m dealing with. I’m not requesting assistance." McKee is on a course of 237 degrees however, heading straight for Brazil, slightly higher than the town of Natal. He is clearly progressing under jury rig at 3 knots, a course imposed on him by the fact that he is unable to luff. Officially McKee is still racing though as he hasn’t set off the orange beacon, synonymous with a request for outside assistance.

The situation is identical to that of Sébastien Roubinet (346 – Adrenaline). The Frenchman was having a fantastic race up amongst the top five in the ranking when, last night, he too pressed the green button of his Inmarsat D+ beacon, on two occasions. Since then he has been making one knot of boat speed and is now following a rather similar course to McKee’s. Strangely, Roubinet encountered his problems in the same place as McKee yesterday. Like the American, Sébastien has made it known that he has suffered damage (doubtless a dismasting) but does not require assistance.

Update Sunday night:

Jonathan Mc Kee (247 – Team Mc Lube) is still in the race but the Transat 6.50 is sadly over for Sébastien Roubinet (346 – Adrenaline). The Frenchman is on a heading of 227 now making for the north of Brazil, bound for Fortaleza rather than Natal. Roubinet cannot luff and is progressing as best he can under jury rig towards the most easily accessible port.

McKee is on a course of 210 degrees (rather than the 180 degrees he would have followed) and is still able to leave the island of Fernando to starboard in accordance with the race rules.

From there anything is permitted though it is evident that the American is having a rough ride at present, making 5 knots. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to gybe, but we should know more on Monday morning. McKee will either pass Fernando to starboard and continue, or he will leave the lighthouse situated at the most extreme point of Brazil to port and put himself out of the race.

The island will be a passage mark for the 6.50m monohulls in the coming hours. Samuel Manuard (431 – Tip Top Too – Le Grau du Roi – Port Camargue), the new leader since Sunday morning, should pass the island at the start of the night. Armel Tripon (151 – Moulin Rôty) should be virtually in his wake as Manuard has a 32 mile lead on Tripon. The former still has to tack before the mark while Tripon is on a direct course. - Source: http://transat650.org

***Disaster has befallen American (Mini Transat) entrant Jonathan McKee. The race organizers believe that the most likely scenario is that McKee's Team McLube has dismasted. It is presumed that McKee has erected a jury rig, probably at first light Saturday. In the last 24 hours the American has sailed 75 miles compared to Sam Manuard's 151 miles. The organizers believe that McKee's course indicates that he is heading for Natal on the Brazilian coast to the north of Recife, however it maybe that McKee is unable to make the course with his lashed up rig. - Source: www.thedailysail.com

***Saturday 11 October at 23:24:33: One thing is certain; the former Olympic champion has had a big mechanical problem. The race management still believes that he has dismasted and is making 5 knots under jury rig. This set up will prevent him from luffing however, which would explain his current course and the difficulties he is likely to have when the fleet are forced to leave the island of Fernando to starboard as the second passage mark of the leg. Unless the wind backs, McKee will suffer further problems as they dive south towards Salvador de Bahia.

The second possibility for McKee is that he may have broken a rudder blade that would create less of a handicap. Whether this explains why he stopped for five hours when the beacon was set off remains to be seen. The coming hours will determine what has actually happened aboard " Team Mc Lube ", officially still racing and still leader. Behind him though, the race has turned into a gallop and it looks as if McKee's days in the driving seat are numbered. - Source: www.yachtinguniverse.com

***From Jonathan's wife, Libby, on Sunday, October 12 - Southern Atlantic continues to make it tough going for Jonathan. It appears from the latest position reports that he is underway, doing about 3.5 knots and heading fairly close to the wind. We still know nothing about what damage the boat has incurred. We do know that he is physically ok, appears to still be racing and is heading 25 degrees below the next mark at Fernando. Speculation about what he has broken or if he is heading to shore seems a little premature at this point.

The way point of Fernando de Noronha is becoming a bit of a nuisance to all the competitors including Jonathan. However, the wind seems to have lifted to about 140 degrees and is more from the direction of the typical trade winds. The last report was a good one regarding Jonathan's progress. His course is up a few degrees so it looks like he has a chance to make the waypoint and leave it to starboard. His speed is up to about 4.5 knots. He is still out of radio communication so the nature and extent of his problems are still unknown. However, the lifting breeze and the ability to make the way point make finishing a viable option. Tomorrow's reports will give us a better sense for what he is planning.

Standings at 1500 GMT Sunday:
1. Samuel Manuard Tip Top Too, 696 miles to finish
2. Armel Tripon Moulin Roty, 728 mtf
3. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube, 739 mtf
4. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, 759 mtf
5. Alex Pell, Aquatec - Santaiveri- Texknit, 795 mtf

Event website: http://www.transat650.org/

Smooth Sailing

October 10, 2003 - Each day the conditions are a little more than the day before. And a little less than tomorrow. It appears that the ride to the finish in El Salvador de Bahia will be fantastic. But you never know how the coast of Brazil will shuffle the deck.

Standings at 1500 GMT Thursday:
1. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube, 1072 miles to finish.
2. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, 1125 mtf
3. Samuel Manuard Tip Top Too, 1134 mtf
4. Armel Tripon Moulin Roty, 1140 mtf
5. Alex Pell, Aquatec - Santaiveri- Texknit, 1186 mtf
- Source: www.transat650.org

Breaking Through!

October 9, 2003 - Finally! Out the Doldrums and on their way. Yesterday progress was pretty excruciatingly slow. What a change in the last 12 hours.

• 7 AM (UT) Positions: In the last 24 hours Jonathan's been jamming. I'll bet he's finally gotten to the section on his hard disk with all the Dead tunes. He's probably a bit sleepy too - because the sailing cannot have been easy (I'll bet the wind averaged less than 6 knots in the last 24 hours). It looks Jonathan is now on port tack and probably getting clear of the worst of things… with building SSE breeze and lifts to look forward to (probably good for catching up on sleep - a nice jib reach).

Rolland seems to be paying for being so far to the west. He's averaged a knot slower than Jonathan (and 20 degrees "worse" heading) which means he probably didn't get the shift to the SE as soon, and spent more time on starboard tack in a southerly. Manuard's success is interesting - he's between JM and Roland (i.e. to the WNW of Jonathan) but has been always sailing toward the mark. Maybe Jonathan put in a little tack to starboard 36 hours ago - to get a bit of easting and close up to Tripon to the east (foregoing some VMG toward the mark - giving Manuard a gain). In any event, in the last 24 hours Manuard and Jonathan have had virtually the same VMG toward the mark ... and JM has a 28 mile lead (measured toward the next waypoint) on Manuard - which should not erode any more, at least in the near term as the SE builds in.

• 3 PM (UT) Positions: I'm getting hooked on this now. But this is a pretty critical time, and Jonathan's gained a ton. He's been blasting at the mark for the last eight hours averaging 6 knots. Rolland to the west is doing the same heading, but is still much lighter... and Tripon to the east has fallen in astern - he seems to be sailing 10 degrees lower on port tack to match JM's speed. Tripon's 3 PM position is about where JM was at 7 AM. Meanwhile Manuard seems to have hit a header and forced to go back to starboard tack. He's making good speed, but towards the SE not the SW where the next waypoint is." - Peter Isler

Standings at 1500 GMT Wednesday:
1. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube, 1212 miles to finish.
2. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, 1237 mtf
3. Samuel Manuard Tip Top Too, 1244 mtf
4. Armel Tripon Moulin Roty, 1262 mtf
5. Alex Pell, Aquatec - Santaiveri- Texknit, 1282 mtf

Source: www.transat650.org/

Light Air And Lead Changes

October 8, 2003 - Salvador, Brazil: After a long wait, the full effects of the doldrums are gradually coming into play with a fair few of the controls changing hands. Though David Raison (440 – Rayon Liquide) remains the games master amongst the Series fleet, it is now Pierre Rolland (247 – Extrado) in the lead in the Proto fleet.

Pierre Rolland hung onto his westerly option (293 degrees longitude), even in the vast calms of the doldrums and is now reaping the benefits. In so doing the naval architect has overtaken Jonathan McKee (247- Team McLube) who has been in the lead since the start in Puerto Calero and is currently at 263 degrees longitude.

With a lead of more than 20 miles on Jonathan Mc Kee (247- Team McLube), Pierre Rolland is now firmly anchored at the head of the fleet. But the real surprise of the day is Samuel Manuard, who has gone from 7th to 3rd place. He can be proud of having covered 37 miles between the two position reports of the day (at 0700 and 1500 hours UT). Pierre Rolland had covered just 19, Mc Kee 20 and Pella (240- Aquatech-Santiveri Texknit, 5th in the general ranking) 27 miles.

In 5th and 6th position, the Garcia brothers are continuing to sail together while the nightmare continues for Armel Tripon (151- Moulin Roty), who headed right out to the east. He had only covered 13 miles between the two positionreports and is now in 7th position.

The winner of the first leg has not yet had his final word then, especially as the fleet are set to touch a southerly wind fairly rapidly. Sam Manuard has already demonstrated the unique capacities of his boat when reaching . . . so conditions may well prove favorable for him in the near future.

In the Series fleet, David Raison is conserving his leadership with little opening up behind him during the day. It is worth keeping a wary eye on Patrick Bot (245- Finist’Mer Ecole Navale) though, as he continues his comeback and is now in 4th position in that category. -- Translation courtesy Kate Jennings

Standings at 15:00 TU Tuesday:
1. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, 1321 miles to finish
2. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube, 1345 mtf
3. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too, 1359 mtf
4. Alex Pella, Aquatec - Santiveri - Texknit, 1364 mtf
5. Bruno Garcia, Saladino, 1376 mtf
Source: www.transat650.org/

Anybody Have Change For Parking? DOLDRUMS!

Tripon and Jonathan have hit the big hole (aka: The Doldrums). Rolland has held the NE breeze longer. But he should be in the doldrums now too. Its total dice roll for the next couple of days - until the morning of October 8th or so. If everyone survives the doldrums equally, then the boat that is farthest to the east (Tripon by 40 miles to Jonathan) should have the best angle and best breeze first when the SE trades kick in - and it turns into a port tack reach. But the Doldrums are not known to be equalizers, so there's a lot of nail biting to be had. - Peter Isler

Standings at 15:00 TU Monday:
1. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube, 1407 miles to finish.
2. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, 1408 mtf
3. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty, 1424 mtf
4. Willy Garcia, Ceylan Diamantes, 1448 mtf
5. Bruno Garcia, Saladino, 1448 mtf
6. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too, 1449 mtf
Source: www.transat650.org/

Approaching Doldrums - Tight Racing Again For Leaders

Puerto Calero, Canary Islands: Armel Tripon (151 – Moulin Rôty) has been nibbling away at Jonathan Mc Kee’s lead (247- Team Mc Lube) to the point that he is now within two miles of him at the 1700 UT ranking this Sunday.

A second race has begun with any advances knocked back to zero with 1400 miles to go and the doldrums as Justice of the Peace. There’s everything to win and lose.

Leader Jonathan Mc Kee has seen his escape plan foiled and his fiercest rivals breathing once more down his neck. Irishman, Cian McCarthy ( 393 – The Tom Crean) is just one of the many after his crown.

Eleven competitors are now grouped within 80 miles, promising a veritable cat fight for the last ten days of racing. Of course the doldrums may well let two or three boats through its nets, only to ensnare the others. Fatigue is also likely to work its way through the fleet, pushing each competitor to recuperate during a good night.

This could explain what has happened to Erwan Tymen (426 – Pogo 2 Navy Lest). For several hours he followed a due easterly heading before tacking this afternoon onto a more "normal" westerly. Whether he was the victim of a large dose of fatigue where the autopilot betrayed him, mechanical worries or sail problems is not known.

Finally, no-one is left in the port of Mindello in Sao Vicente, except for Gaspard Franeau (Avocats sans Frontières), who is due to set sail again in the coming hours. -- Translation Kate Jennings

Top ten positions at latest poll (5 October 1500 UT)

1. Jonathan Mc Kee, Team Mc Lube, Proto, 1499.1 Miles To Finish
   2. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty, Proto, 1501.5
   3. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, Proto, 1534.0
   4. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too - Le Grau Du Roi Port Camargue, Proto, 1552.6
   5. Willy Garcia, Ceylan Diamantes Proto, 1559.1
   6. Bruno Garcia, Saladino, Proto, 1560.8
   7. Sébastien Roubinet, Adrenaline, Proto, 1567.2
   8. François Cuinet, Reglisse, Proto, 1567.6
   9. Alex Pella, Aquatec - Santiveri - Texknit, Proto, 1568.3
   10. Cian McCarthy, The Tom Crean, Proto, 1576.9
   Source: www.transat650.org

Jonathan McKee's 50+ mile lead in leg two of the Mini Transat has been whittled down to just 3. Over night McKee and chasing Frenchman Armel Tripon have crossed gybes and McKee is now heading for the Doldrums on a course further west. Over the last 24 hours McKee has covered 180 miles to Tripons 220 miles. Both boats are close to the great circle route to the finish in Salvador de Bahia.

Also in the running are third placed Pierre Rolland, well out to the west and Spaniard Alex Pella, whose flier on the extreme right of the race track seems to have paid off - he's now rocketed up to seventh place. This sudden catch-up one can only assume is due to McKee's Team McLube not liking the conditions as much as the Frenchman's Mini. - Source: www.thedailysail.com

The Gap Increases

Jonathan Mc Kee's Team Mc Lube has increased it's lead over Armel Tripon's Roty Mill to 32 miles and more than 66 miles on Manuel Manuard's Tip Top Too. After a third of race, McKee has largely made up his deficit of the first stage and built an advantage of several hours on Manuard. Also, the lead boats are all sailing very similar tracks. The boats have been sailing in 10 knot northeasterly trade winds.

Standings at 1500 GMT Thursday:
1. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube, 1928 miles to finish.
2. Armel Tripon Moulin Roty, 1960 mtf
3. Samuel Manuard Tip Top Too, 1994 mtf
4. François Cuinet, Reglisse, 1998 mtf
5. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, 2012 mtf

***Puerto Calero, Canary Islands: Whether the wind is strong or weak, as it is now around the Cape Verdes, Jonathan McKee (247- Team Mc Lube) remains indifferent. The American continues on his way...a tad faster than his adversaries.

This Thursday without a great deal of wind (4 to 5 knots) on the outskirts of the archipelago, McKee has been able to get a few extra miles between himself and the chasing pack. At nightfall, Armel Tripon (151- Moulin Rôty) had lost out on a further three places since this morning, despite doing everything he can to make some extra ground on his proto, 31 miles behind.

The same analysis for Samuel Manuard (431- Tip Top Too – Le Grau du Roi – Port Camargue) now third. At daybreak he was 58 miles back from the head of the fleet and has now dropped even further off the pace at 65 miles. François Cuinet (139 – Réglisse), the young gun of this quartet, has lost 10 miles off the pace in twelve hours (59 to 69 miles).

Of course the doldrums now stands before the competitors. But it will be there for everyone. The greatest obstacle at present is trying to get the better of the American, though Salvador de Bahia is still 2000 miles away.

One person who has other obstacles to consider at the moment is Pia L’Obry (316- Expatria.fr). The Swedish sailor, with a superb 7th place in the first leg, has been playing a rather uncharacteristic background role since Lanzarote. She has just informed the organisation that she will be making a stopover in Mindello on the island of Sao Vicente for reasons, as yet, unknown.

McKee's Lead Builds

October 2, 2003 -Puerto Calero, Canary Islands: La Rochelle: There are still 2000 miles left to cover before Salvador de Bahia. An ocean away of course, especially with the notorious doldrums on the warpath. And yet, for the past thirty six hours, Jonathan Mc Kee (247- Team Mc Lube) has been in turbo-drive at the head of the race.

It seems today that the former Olympic champion is making a course straight through the middle of the Cape Verdes. If this is the case, he would pass between Sao Nicolau and Boavista, at the widest part of the archipelago, a little less than 150 miles ahead of him.

Behind they’re hanging on in there. Armel Tripon (151- Moulin Rôty) has taken a slightly more northerly and more westerly option than the American, who is currently 22 miles ahead. François Cuinet (139- Réglisse) and Samuel Manuard (431- Tip Top Too-Le Grau du Roi-Port Camargue) are following a similar course to Mc Kee, though they are respectively 49 and 55 miles behind. The gaps are gradually but regularly opening up.

It remains to be seen whether Alex Pella (240-Aquatec-Santiveri Texknit), the sole skipper to have swung right out to the west, has made the right choice. (There are 150 miles in longitude between McKee and the Spaniard).

The great satisfaction at the start of the second leg comes from the handling of the Series boats. There are three of them in the top eleven. Erwan Tymen (426- Navy Lest), the winner of the first leg, is eighth (77 miles from the leader) and David Raison (440-Rayon Liquide), who has had pole problems since the start of the leg, is battling to keep in tenth place (81 miles from the leader). Both are on Pogo 2’s. Brieuc Maisoneuve (250- Pays Granvillais) is also putting up a sturdy performance on his Pogo 1. The solid “bon viveur”, Brieuc, is managing to stay at the head of the race (eleventh in the Wednesday morning ranking, 84 miles from the leader). Virtually on a par with the Protos, the reliability and solidity of these Pogos is proving that they still have a good future ahead of them.

The short-term future of Jacques Valente (355- Action Innoncence) seems to have cleared up. The Swiss sailor has broken his two rudder blades and made for Gran Canaria. There he is working flat out to fix them and hopes to head back out into the race. The situation for the three victims of a dismasting is becoming more and more problematic however. Unable to make repairs in the Canaries the race would seem to be over for Frédéric Duthil (265- All Mer), Francis Hueber (404- Shaita-Ensieta Ecole d’Ingénieurs Brestoise) and Ghislain Gendron 102- Ville de Bandol). It continues however for Irishman, Cian McCarthy (393- The Tom Crean). He won’t make a stopover in Sao Vicente to repair his stay. He continues to Bahia. -- Translation Kate Jennings

Top ten positions at latest poll

1. Jonathan Mc Kee, Team Mc Lube, Proto, 2102.5 Nm To Finish
   2. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty, Proto, 2124.4
   3. François Cuinet, Reglisse, Proto, 2151.2
   4. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too - Le Grau Du Roi Port Camargue, Proto, 2157.4
   5. Jaume Mumbru, Port De Barcelona, Proto, 2160.9
   6. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, Proto, 2167.2
   7. David Lancry, Mensura Frost, Proto, 2174.9
   8. Bruno Garcia, Saladino, Proto, 2178.8
   9. Willy Garcia, Ceylan Diamantes, Proto, 2179.4
   10. Erwan Tymen, Pogo 2 Navy Lest, Series, 2179.9
   Source: www.transat650.org

****October 1, 2003 - The last 24 hours has seen American Jonathan McKee change gears to take up a commanding lead in the second leg of the Mini Transat. The front runners are now three quarters of the way between Lanzarote and the Cape Verde waypoint on their way south to Brazil. McKee overtook Armel Tripon yesterday and this morning at the 0700GMT update his Team McLube was 21 miles ahead, taking a more easterly route south than the Frenchman. - Source: www.thedailysail.com

McKee Out Front!

1. GMT Tuesday September 30, 2003 - Jonathan McKee has taken a five mile lead in the Mini Transat singlehanded transatlantic race to Brazil. Because the first three days were particularly difficult for the 21-foot boats, 20 out of the 68 starters to have dropped out of the 2900-mile stage from Lanzarote to Brazil.
2. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube, 2234.5 miles to finish.
   2. Armel Tripon Moulin Roty, 2239.5 mtf>br> 3. François Cuinet, Reglisse, 2264.5 mtf
   4. Samuel Manuard Tip Top Too, 2270.9 mtf
   5. Pierre Rolland Extrado, 2276 mtf

Source: www.transat650.org/

*** Puerto Calero, Canary Islands: He has been an Olympic champion, double world champion, part of the last American challenge on One World during the America’s Cup. Some doubted his abilities as an ocean skipper but here he is at the head of the fleet in the second leg of the Transat 6.50.

This Tuesday afternoon Jonathan Mc Kee (247 – Team Mc Lube) took control of the race with a five-mile lead on Armel Tripon (151 – Moulin Roty) and 30 miles on François Cuinet (136-Réglisse). Samuel Manuard (431- Tip Top Too – Le Grau du Roi – Port Camargue) has slipped back to 4th place, 36 miles from the American at the end of a calmer day, despite a good north north-easterly of between 15 and 19 knots.

The sailors have different goals. Some are managing to hang on to the leading pack with less powerful or older boats while others aren’t doing quite so well as in the first leg. David Sineau (428- France Fermetures), Michel Mirabel (421- Gwalarn IV) or Jean-Pierre Balmès (330-Cecim) in the Series fleet, and Pia l’Obry (316-Expatria.fr), Richard Mérigeaux (260- Bon Pied Bon ) or Donald Wright (227- Russe Noir) in the Protos are the most notable.

The crossing of the Bay of Biscay was close-hauled as far as Cape Finisterre. Then there was the descent down past Portugal with light winds and even calm at times. When the wind joined in it was downwind, a point of sail where the swinging keels of the protos are at their best. For this leg, the wind came in straightaway. There were built-up seas, a swell with cross seas forcing at least two gybes during the day and over all else... there was the fear of breakage. There were numerous incidents scattered across the fleet in the first few days and perhaps skippers like Swede, Pia l’Obry, and Frenchman Richard Mérigeaux have eased off the pace to calmly await their turn, like Jonathan McKee (8th on Sunday evening, leader on Tuesday) and Samuel Manuard, 12th on Monday, now 4th.

Now, at the head of the fleet, the frontrunners have sprinted off for a marathon of 2900 miles and at least a 20-day crossing. It remains to be seen if they can maintain the pace as far as Brazil, or if man or machine (or both) is going to beg for mercy at a given time. The current sailing conditions mean that autopilot management is a deciding factor. In these heavy seas, they work more, tire quicker and use up more energy. Now, over three weeks they are vital. The road to Salvador is a long one and the leaders of the first leg will not necessarily be those elected in Brazil. -- Translation Kate Jennings

***Libby just McKee returned from the volcanic island of Lanzarote following the start of the second stage of the Mini Transat. Following are some of her impressions about the singlehanded sailors who will spend the next three weeks at sea:

They come from all ages and levels of experience. Some have dedicated their lives to sailing and hope to become France's next famous single handed sailor. The Mini is a right of passage for those want to do the Open 60 circuit or the Solitare du Figaro. The likes of Isabel Autissier, Michel Desjoyeaux, and Ellen McArthur have all done the Mini Transat. Others are the young "unwashed" out for an adventure and have no plan for after the race or for their next step in life. They sleep on their boats in the harbor (quite common for all levels of Mini sailor) and have pulled together every last dime to build their boats and do this race. Others are professionals - Lawyers, businessmen, yachtsmen - who have left jobs and lives ashore to do this race. (they are more likely to sleep in a hotel or at least have a few good restaurant meals when in port!)

Because of the mix of levels of sailors, finances and the fact that the boat is single handed, the Mini Class has a feeling of camaraderie and friendship among the competitors. Everyone helps each other. When the last boats arrive, people scramble to help those needing repairs, to get them done and ready for the start. - Libby McKee

Movin' On Up! - McKee In Third

American Jonathan McKee's Team McLube has moved up to third place in the 67 boat Mini Transat fleet. With more than 2400 miles remaining in the second stage from Lanzarotte to Bahia, Brazil, McKee trailed the leader, Armel Tripon's Moulin Roty, by less than seven miles at 1500 GMT Monday.

The initial leader of the production fleet, David Raison (Liquid 440-Ray) has broken boom and torn his small spinnaker, leaving Erwan Tymen (426-Pogo 2 Navy Lest) at the top of the production fleet in eighth position overall. Raison hopes to carry out repairs during the race. Other competitors with problems include Barnabe Chivot (335- FTH Thirard) and Jean-baptiste Dejeanty (321- Artech-Caen Sea) who has torn his large spinnaker. Cian McCarthy (393- The Tom Crean) who finished fifth on the first leg has a problem with a main stay, although reports are still unclear as to how he intends to carry out repairs. - Source: www.yachting-world.com

****Puerto Calero, Canary Islands: The three dismastings since Saturday’s start in Puerto Calero have not influenced the behaviour of those that remain in the race. Lead by Armel Tripon (151- Moulin Roty), the fleet is driving down towards Brazil at an average of 10 knots. Four hundred miles have been covered in the last 42 hours, yet even Armel has not escaped incident. This morning, he commented that he had made "a pit stop on an unidentified flying object".

Tripon precedes Alex Pella (240- Aquatec Santiveri Texknit) by seven miles. David Raison (440-Rayon Liquide), heading the Series fleet, had to release some ballast after breaking his pole and tearing his small spinnaker. In so doing he has left the first place of the class to the first leg leader, Erwan Tymen (426-Pogo 2 Navy Lest), eighth in the general rankings and 31 miles behind Tripon.

Nevertheless, there is no chance that David Raison will change course for repairs. He hopes to fix the boat at sea as does Barnabé Chivot (335- FTH Thirard) who is attempting to re-laminate his flying jib boom. Sewing is on the menu for Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (321- Artech-Caen La Mer) who has torn his large spinnaker.

A halt at Sao Vicente (island in the Cape Verde) on the other hand, for Cian McCarthy (393- The Tom Crean) who has broken his stay. After some hesitation, he decided to make for shore to carry out repairs rather than continue racing. He will lose his fine 6th place acquired in Puerto Calero, albeit hopefully temporarily.

Bertrand Lecharpentier (209- Nec Honfleur) looks set to have lost weight by the time he makes Brazil however. He has forgotten to bring food on his trip and is begging the other skippers to give him something to hold out. The example set by Yves Parlier in the last Vendée Globe, who was nourished by seaweed, doesn’t seem to have been appreciated by the solid Bertrand.

Isabelle Magois no longer has a VHF aerial while Vincent Volk Leonovitch (273- Goudurix 2) is back into the race after a brief stopover in Gran Canaria to repair his pole.

The Transat 2003 is officially over for Frédéric Duval (304-Sojasun). After breaking his rudder and his flying jib boom in the first leg, Duval had his sights set on finishing the race rather than on victory, but he was hoping for a good second leg for himself, his sponsors and the two years of sacrifice. Unfortunately, the flying jib boom that was quickly patched up in Puerto Calero has not held and Duval had to change course for Lanzarote. After consulting his sponsors, he has decided to bring the adventure to a close, for this year at least, despite being one of the favourites at the start of the race.

According to the race management, Ghislain Gendron (102- Ville de Bandol), victim of a dismasting, must set sail again on Tuesday at the latest. If this is not the case they will not be able to assure his safety. This is exactly the same scenario for Francis Hueber (404- Shaitan Ensieta Ecole d’Ingénieurs Brestoise) who really hopes to see his boat complete with a mast again.

Frédéric Duthil (265- All Mer), 5th in the first leg, has arrived in Puerto Rico, the most southerly port in Gran Canaria. He can hardly believe his bad luck. His boat is in a complete state with no mast and no mainsail among other things. Only a miracle will enable him to set off again. - Source: www.transat650.org (this site is up in French language only, and of late their server has been troubled with an overload - either an increase in end-user interest or a victim of hacking. To get in, just be persistent).

Rough Start For Leg Two

Monday, September 29, 2003 - On Saturday 67 boats started 2700-mile leg of the Mini Transat Race from Lanzarotte to Bahia, Brazil in 15 knots of wind that built to 30 knots during the night. Overnight there were several dismastings, a broken rudder and two broken booms. On Sunday at 1500 GMT, Jonathan McKee's Team McLube was in sixth place, 20 miles behind the leader, Armel Tripon's Moulin Roty, who finished fourth on the first leg of the race. Leg one winner, Samuel Manuard is in 13th place, 31 miles behind the leader.

***Sunday, September 28 - The skippers engaged in this second leg of the Transat 6.50, Lanzarote – Salvador de Bahia, have seen the wind strengthen from 15 knots to 30 knots overnight, easing off again early this morning. When you’re playing to win, prudence seems like the soft option so the fleet were driving hard, running risks. Last night’s first casualties Gendron (102 - Ville de Bandol-dismasted), Alessandro Zamagna (342- Arke) and Barnabé Chivot (335-FTH Thirard – broken flying jib boom) proved to be a mere appetizer for the destructive main course.

Frédéric Duthil (265 – All Mer) is out of the race. After some dubious options at the start of the first leg Duthil lead a remarkable race and finished a worthy fifth in Lanzarote. Sadly it is over today and the race to victory has ended prematurely for Duthil who dismasted and is making for the closest island of Gran Canaria under jury rig. He won’t be alone there. Gendron suffered the same fate and made the island last night. Jacques Valente (355- Action innocence) is also joining them, though for now the precise reasons for his change of course are not known. For Francis Hueber (404- Shaitan Ensieta Ecole d’Ingénieurs Brestoise) the reason is clear, yet another dismasting. He is making for the island at a lowly 2 knots.

And the list does not end there. Frédéric Duval (304- Sojasun) already punished in the first leg by a broken rudder blade and is returning to Lanzarote.

Fortunately, for the majority of the fleet, the race continues with a vengeance and the options are now well defined. Furthest east is Pierre Rolland (347- Extrado). He is 114 miles from the African coast, while Eric Defert (138- Amiral de Bretagne) has sailed the hardest west, just 9 miles offshore. It’s rather difficult to say who is leading the fleet in these conditions but it does seem that Armel Tripon (151- Moulin Roty) reigns for the moment ahead of Alex Pella (240- Aquatec Santiveri Texknit).

As for Samuel Manuard (431- Tip Top Too – Le Grau du Roi Port Camargue) he is still very much in control in the top ten, with American Jonathan Mc Kee (247- Team Mc Lube) right on his tail. -- Translation by Kate Jennings

And They're Off! - Mini Transat Leg Two

Lanzarote, Canary Islands: At 1102 GMT Saturday there were 67 of the original 70 sailors on the start line of the second leg of the Mini Transat in Puerto Calero. Tiphaine Vrignault, Caroline Vieille have been forced to retire for varying reasons and François- Jacques Jauffrineau hopes to set sail in a few hours time. An established 15 knot north-easterly pushed the skippers out to sea. The sun shone over slight seas providing ideal conditions for the despatching of the dense fleet. Initial options have not yet been defined though the majority of the boats have headed dead south, leaving the others to make for Fuerte Ventura. 2900 miles and around 20 days of racing lay ahead, spiced up with the passage of the equator and the legendary doldrums.

There are two obligatory course marks between Lanzarote and Salvador de Bahia. The island of Maio furthest east of the Cape Verde must be left to port and the island of Fernando de Noronho to starboard.

The latest news from the meteorologists seems to indicate that there is a surprisingly established wind off the African coast. -- Translation by Kate Jennings

Positions as of 0700 UTC 28 September (courtesy SeaSailSurf.com):

1. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty, Proto Class, 2675.9 miles to finish
   2. François Cuinet, Reglisse, Proto Class, 2690.4
   3. Alex Pella, Aquatec - Santiveri - Texknit, Proto Class, 2690.8
   4. Pierre Rolland, Extrado, Proto Class, 2694.4
   5. Jonathan Mckee, Team Mc Lube, Proto Class, 2697.2
   6. Sébastien Roubinet, Adrenaline, Proto Class, 2697.9
   7. Bruno Garcia, Saladino, Proto Class, 2699.7
   8. Willy Garcia, Ceylan Diamantes, Proto Class, 2700.0
   9. Gaspard Franeau, Avocats Sans Frontieres, Proto Class, 2701.5
   10. David Raison, Rayon Liquide, Series Class, 2702.5
   

Leg Two To Start Saturday, September 27

Lanzarote, Canary Islands: At the end of further deliberation this Thursday, the jury finally decided to take off 19 hours 30 minutes from Richard Merigeaux’ time and not the 21 hours decided upon yesterday.

The result of this decision does not affect the third place of this skipper from La Rochelle, who is now 5hours 31 minutes behind winner, Samuel Manuard (431-Tip Top Too- Le Grau du Roi- Port Camargue) and 3hours 31 minutes from second placed American, Jonathan Mc Kee (247-Team Mc Lube) but 7minutes 43 seconds ahead of Armel Tripon (151-Moulin Roty).

The start of the second leg from Lanzarote - Salvador de Bahia (2900 miles) will be given this Saturday at 1102 GMT and promises to be both exciting and open.

François-Jacques Jauffrineau (277- Vendée Prisma) who dismasted during his last gybe, just before the finish line, hopes to be able to repair his boat in time for the start.

For Caroline Vieille (405- Tôleries Armoricaines - Fondation Jêrome Lejeune), also victim of a dismasting, the situation is more complicated. Demoralised at the finish on Wednesday, she has decided to give it her all to take part in the second leg... even if it is after the official start.

Spaniard, Jaume Mumbru (385- Port Barcelona) finished in the early hours this morning, Thursday. There is now just one competitor remaining at sea, David Lancry (121 - Mensura Frost), stuck for nearly a week in La Coruna following yet another dismasting. He hopes to make Puerto Calero on Friday evening. He will then make for Bahia after the others. - Source: Scuttlebutt, Translation courtesy Kate Jennings

Leg One Complete!

Puerto Calero, Canary Islands: It wasn't a very dramatic finish for Samuel Manuard in Lanzarote. Having fought the elements and his competitors for nine days, he was exhausted and eager to cross the line. The wind, however, started to fade as he approached the island, dropping to below 7 knots, and turning his beautiful red spinnaker into a hanging sheet. Finally a light breeze propelled him across the line at 22h38'41"; he covered the 1350 miles from La Rochelle to Lanzarote in 9 days 5 hours.

After a meal and a shower, Manuard went out to welcome his rivals. Jonathan McKee was next to finish at 1h59'41", and his finish was like Manuards... long, exasperating for lack of wind. McKee said "I've never sailed so long as a singlehander, I'm satisfied with my second place." How to explain losing by 10 miles after sailing so closely: "I fell into a hole with no wind. This can happen to anyone, this time it happened to me".

Official Results - First ten to finish:

1. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too - Le Grau Du Roi Port Camargue, Proto
   2. Jonathan Mc Kee, Team Mc Lube, Proto
   3. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty, Proto
   4. Frédéric Duthil, All Mer, Proto 5. Cian Mc Carthy, The Tom Crean, Proto
   6. Pia L'Obry, Expatria.Fr, Proto
   7. François Cuinet, Reglisse, Proto 8. Bruno Garcia, Saladino, Proto
   9. Pascal Doin, Asnq, Proto
   10. Alex Pella, Aquatec - Santiveri - Texknit, Proto

- Source: www.transat650.org/

Leaders Should Finish Leg One Today

At 1830 Thursday evening Sam Manuard, the 32-year-old, was just 15 miles away from crossing the finish line of the first leg of the Mini Transat. Sailing his own-designed proto, Manuard has spent the day working hard keeping his nearest rival Jonathan McKee off his transom. With a continuing steady breeze and 8 knots of boat speed as he heads towards the finish line in Lanzarote, Manuard looks set to win the first leg of the race, after a nine-day battle with McKee. - Source: www.transat650.org

*** September 18, 2003 - The dual between Sam Manuard and Jonathan McKee remains close as they near the finish of Porto Calero on the south side of Lanzarote. Tuesday afternoon Manuard had taken back the lead from McKee, which he has slowly increased. At their current rate of 6.5 knots average, a Thursday finish for the leaders remains eminent.

***Puerto Calero, Canary Islands: What is going on with Jonathan McKee (247 –Team McLube)? The American skipper, who has never been further than 5 NM away from the leadership since the start in La Rochelle, took a more western option than Samuel Manuard (431 -Tip Top Too - Le Grau du Roi - Port Camargue) in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The consequence is that, the former Olympic Champion in 470 was sailing side by side with Samuel Manuard just 24 hours ago and he now is 9 nm behind Samuel Manuard, closing in on Lanzarote’s coast. Maybe Jonathan knew his boat was less powerful than Manuard's, he then has tried a weather option, knowing that he would certainly be beaten if he had followed the same course. Another possibility is that he could not use his gennaker any longer and took a course where he can use the spinnaker/

Gamble? The North-Eastern wind still accompanies the leaders of this first leg of the Transat 6.50 and pushes them at 7 knots average boatspeed, but should veer south 3 to 5 in the night. This should slow their progress towards the finishing line.

However, the victory should not escape either from Manuard, or in Mc Kee. While Fredéric Duthil (265 - All Mer) has caught up Armel Tripon (151 - Moulin Roty), they both are 20 NM away from the American and thus almost 30 behind Samuel Manuard.

Close finish for the protos but it is not less true for the production boats. David Sineau (428 - France Fermetures) has taken back the lead, but only by 0.9 nm, at the expense of Erwan Tymen (426 - Pogo 2 Navy Lest). The finish should be great, because if Samuel Manuard seems to have taken a small advantage in prototype, it is not the case for the production boats, they fight for some tenth of nm.

Regarding the damaged list, we have to add Ian Munslow (326 - Ishtar) who has broken a rudder but still goes on. -- Event media

Top ten positions, Protos, at 1500h, 17 September Protos
1. Samuel Manuard ("Tip Top Too") - 130.3 nm to Lanzarote
2. Jonathan Mc Kee ("Team Mc Lube") -139.9
3= Armel Tripon ("Moulin Roty") -159.4 m
3= Frédéric Duthil ("All Mer") -159.4.7 m
5. Pia L'Obry ("Expatria.fr") -160.9 m
6. Cian Mc Carthy ("The Tom Crean") -161.1 m 7. Pascal Doin ("ASNQ") -166.9 m
8. Alex Pella ("Aquatec - Santiveri - Texknit") -176.7 m
9. François Cuinet ("Réglisseé) -177.6 m
9. Bruno Garcia, Saladino, 177.6

• Source: www.transat650.org

Solid Wind And Less Than 300 Miles To Complete Leg One

September 17, 2003 - They now have wind, with a well established northeasterly of 20 knots. The sea is like mountains sometimes, and the sailors have been under spinnaker for close to 24 hours. They are averaging 8-9 knots, and should arrive in Lanzarote, if these conditions continue, on Thursday at the beginning of evening.

The positions, on the other hand, have changed very little. Samuel Manuard had resumed the lead, at the last report, just ahead of Jonathan McKee by one tenth of a mile. The two boats are practically even. The finish will play themselves on the nerves and fatigue. This fight pushes the two sailors to give the maximum effort and to pull the most out of their boats. They have pulled away on the 3rd place boat, Armel Tripon who is now 20 miles behind the leaders.

Standings on September 16 at 15:00 (TU): Protos- 1. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too, 298.5 miles from finish; 2. Jonathan McKee, Team Mc Lube, 298.6 mff; 3. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty, 317.7 mff. - Source: www.transat650.org

*** In related news, the formation of the Mini Class US was announced today, which will act as the governing body of 6.5 meter sailing in the United States.

The Mini boat is an offshore racing sloop of 21.25 feet. The boat which looks like an Open 60, has a thirty-nine foot mast a weighs approximately two thousand pounds. Because of its wide beam, almost ten feet, and its large sail area, the vessel is often compared to an offshore skiff for her speeds are remarkable. The French sailors refer to the boats as an offshore racing school. Many of todays most well-known and successful solo sailors have raced and learned their sailing skills aboard Mini boats.

This year over ten Mini racing events were held in Europe. The US class hopes to see a fleet of American and Canadian Mini boats racing in the waters off of New England and California by the summer of 2004.

500 Miles Left In Leg One - Moderate Winds

September 16, 2003 - With just under 500 miles to go in this first leg from La Rochelle to Lanzarote, the race is still very tightly contested, with under six miles separating the top two prototypes, Samuel Manuard's Tip Top Too and Jonathan McKee's Team McLube. The boats are sailing in moderate winds, and making 7 to 8 knots of boat speed.

The forecast is calling for increasing winds for the sailors over the next 48 hours, and the wind blows on average 5 knots more between Portugal and Africa. The rich will get richer.

Drawing up behind the two leaders are Armel Tripon, 5.5 miles behind McKee, and Cian McCarthy in fourth place.

At 1300h on Monday, top ten in Protos:
1. Samuel Manuard, Tip Top Too
2. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube
3. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty
4. Cian McCarthy, The Tom Crean
5. Pascal Doin, ASNQ
6. Pia L'Obry, Expatria Fr
7. Frédéric Duthil, All Mer
8. François Cuinet, Reglisse
9. Alex pella, Aquatec-Santiveri
10. Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty, Artech-Cane la Mer

NE Wind Builds For Mini Transat Fleet

September 15, 2003 - Mini Transat sailors were breathing a sigh of relief yesterday when a north-easterly wind finally filled in allowing them to make better headway down the coast of Portugal reaching average speeds of more than seven knots.

Although positions are swapping and changing constantly at the top end of the fleet Jonathan McKee (247-Team Mc Lube) currently retains a eight-mile lead over Sam Manuard (431-Tip Top Too- Le Grau du Roi-Port Camargue) in the prototype fleet.

In the Series fleet (production boats) Erwan Tymen (426-Pogo 2 Navy Lest) is ahead of David Sineau (428-France Fermerures).

Arthur Barret (29-Ubage) who's been suffering with a damaged spreader is now heading slowly towards Lanzarote where he's hoping to carry out repairs before the start of the next leg. David Lancry (121-Mensura Frost) is also is also limping along with mast problems but is hoping that his new mast will arrive in Lanzarote to allow him to continue the race.

Richard Merigeaux (260-Bon Pied Bon Oeil) who damaged the top of his mast at the start, had to return to La Rochelle and started the race 20 hours behind the main group improved on his 28th position yesterday and is now in a creditable 24th overall.

Overnight James Bird, the young British sailor, has dropped a place to 52nd overall while fellow British sailor Ian Munslow in his Owen design proto has climbed up to 22 overall. If the current conditions hold the leading boats should start arriving in Lanzarote on Friday.- www. yachting-world.com

It has been a day [Sunday] of marginally brisker sailing for the Mini Transat fleet who were this afternoon to the northeast of Lisbon. Over the course of today the wind light from the NNE but this afternoon has backed slowly round to the north and built to around 10 knots.

Jonathan McKee has been extending millimeter at a time from second placed Sam Manuard. The boats are obviously jibing at the moment but while a majority are on the rhumb line McKee and Manuard are to the east of the rhumb line, although not as far as Sebastien Roubinet who is right by the Portugese coast.

The interesting and somewhat controversial news is that New Zealander Chris Sayer, who was not allowed an entry in the Mini Transat (because he failed to meet the class' qualification criteria, despite having done the race before and sailed 3,500 miles around the Tasman Sea in his boat) is believed to be lying ahead of Jonathan McKee. Unfortunately the positions being beamed back from Sayer's ARGOS beacon are at different times to the fleet polling of the Inmarsat D+ satcom units that the official entries are fitted with.

Protos:
1. Jonathan Mc Kee ("Team Mc Lube"), 638.1 nm to Lanzarote
2. Samuel Manuard ("Tip Top Too - Le Grau du Roi Port Camargue"), 646 m
3. Armel Tripon ("Moulin Roty"), 651.8 m
4. Pascal Doin ("ASNQ"), 656.6 m
5. Pia L'Obry ("Expatria.fr"), 660.2 m
6. Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty ("Artech - Caen La Mer"), 661.5
7. Frédéric Duthil ("All Mer"), 661.7
8. Cian Mc Carthy ("The Tom Crean"), 663.6
9. François Cuinet ("Réglisse"), 664.2
10. Donald Wright ("Russe Noir"), 672.9

Source - www.TheDailySail.com

Light & Tight Racing Continues For Frontrunners

September 14, 2003 - The Mini Transat fleet is still floundering in virtually no wind as it heads down the coast of Portugal to Lanzarote. But although there is little change expected imminently, crews are focusing on depression forecast over the Canary Islands in the next few days. American Jonathan McKee sailing a Rogers-designed prototype has taken over the leading position and is currently in a close battle with the initial race leader Sam Manuard sailing his owned-designed prototype. Armel Tripon in a Finot/Conq 98-designed prototype is also keeping the pressure on in the light, testing conditions. - Source: www.yachting-world.com

Standings on September 14 @ 1500 UT: 1. Jonathan Mc Kee, Team McLube, 638.1 miles from finish; 2. Samuel Manuardm, Tip Top Two 646.0 mff; 3. Armel Tripon, Moulin ROTY, 651.8 mff. - http://www.transat650.org/

Fleet Makes Slow Progress In Light Breezes

September 11, 2003 - La Rochelle, France: The fleet continues to make very slow progress toward the Spanish coast. From 0500 until 1500 on Thursday, the wind was a zephyr of two to four knots at most. "At least they'll be able to sleep, having nothing better to do" joked race director Denis Hugues.

The major part of the fleet thus advanced at one or two knots. Samuel Manuard is still leading the field with 5.5 mile gain on Jonathan McKee and Pierre Rolland. The decision by Frederi Duthil to move more to the west in order to seek the more direct route seems to have paid off - although currently his is in sixth position. Wednesday night Samuel Manuard and Jonathan McKee also decided on a more westerly course. When the fleet rounds Cape Finisterre the long agony should end: winds from the Northeast at 5 to 10 knots are forecast for Friday morning.

Top ten positions, Thursday at 1700h:

Protos

1. Samuel Manuard ("Tip Top Too - Le Grau du Roi Port Camargue"), 1066.7 miles from Lanzarote
2. Pierre Rolland ("Extrado"), 1074.6 nm
3. Alex Pella ("Aquatec - Santiveri - Texknit"), 1075.1 nm
4. Jonathan McKee ("Team Mc Lube"), 1075.2 nm
5. Pascal Doin ("ASNQ"), 1075.6 nm
6. Frédéric Duthil ("All Mer"), 1075.8 nm
7. François Cuinet ("Réglisse"), 1077.4 nm
8. Enrico Podesta ("Diabolo-Slam"), 1078.6 nm
9. Sébastien Roubinet ("Adrénaline"), 1080 nm
10. Frédéric Duval ("Sojasun"), 1080.3 nm

• Source: www.transat650.org

Spectators should note: Chris Sayer is the current UNOFFICIAL LEADER in the race against the official 70 starters. The New Zealander was sadly refused entry into the Mini Transat Race by the French organizers, when they determined his 3,500 NM effort to qualify in the Southern Ocean did not meet new qualification rules set this year that competitors qualify in officially designated Mini 6.5 race (all run in the northern hemisphere). Prior to this year his effort would have qualified him.

Sailing in very light airs, on Thursday afternoon (September 11), local time, Sayer was 10 miles off the north Spanish coast, where he took the lead, holding a six mile gap to his nearest rival with a further 15 miles to the next group. Since he was refused entry, Sayer has said he would complete the course, careful to start behind and out of the way of official entries. - Source: www.sail-world.com

Front Runners Remain Closely Packed

September 10, 2003 - La Rochelle, France: The first night is the one the sailors fear the most in the Mini Transat. There is the distraction of a thousand things to decide, as the sailor and his boat get to know each other, and there is the dreaded Bay of Biscay to cross, with it's traps, fishing nets and cargo liners. The first 15 hours are a conditioning.

Fortunately for the 70 singlehanders headed for Lanzarote in this first stage, the Gulf was rather forgiving. No depression, hence no strong winds or extreme seas, just winds of 20 knots from the west, predicted to last until Wednesday morning.

Four boats have turned back, Brazilian Gustavo Pacheco and Spaniard Jame Mumbro, both with rudder problems, Richard Mérigeaux and Thomas Valentin, both with rig problems after collisions with other competitors. For Mérigeaux, it's a remasting with his old, spare mast. He set out again at 1400 hours on Wednesday. For Valentin it's more complicated, as he had to rebuild his mast top and spreaders, but hoped to set sail again Wednesday evening.

In the lead, but all within 10 miles of each other, were Jonathan McKee, Samuel Manuard and Alex Pella. Many of the sailors are looking forward to plunging down the coast of Portugal where tradewinds of 20 - 25 knots are predicted. Surfing, anyone? Source: www.transat650.org

1500GMT Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - Sam Manuard had pulled into first place in the Mini Transat, (four miles) ahead of second placed Jonathan McKee, as the front runners were approaching the half way mark between La Rochelle and Cape Finisterre. In today's westerly winds, the fleet have not been able to lay the mark on starboard tack and a majority of the fleet is now on the left side of the course (ie closer to the Spanish coast) where the forecast over the next few hours shows extremely variable conditions as the high pressure systems to the west of Spain and over mainland Spain expand and contract. - Source: www.dailysail.com

McKee Takes The Lead

September 10, 2003 - At the second mark of the course, near Fort Boyard, Jonathan McKee was in the lead, followed by Samuel Manuard and Frederic Duthil.

The fleet is headed for Lanzarote, Canary Islands, in the first long stage of 1,350 miles. Conditions at the departure were perfect -- 20 knots from the NNW, a small swell of 2m. - Source: sww.scuttlebutteurope.com/www.transat650.org

Mini Transat Underway

September 8, 2003 - After a one-day delay due to heavy weather conditions the fleet of 70 Mini 6.5 solo racers got underway today in ideal conditions off La Rochelle, France at 1730.

In a 20kt north-north-westerly and two-meter swell the 70-boat fleet crossed the startline and commenced their 1,350-mile first leg of the course to Lanzarote.

Fred Duthil sailing his Magnen/Nivelt 99 design Prototype led the fleet to the first turning mark - two miles from the start line - but Jonathan McKee the American hotshot sailing Team McLube, the British-designed Rogers 99 Prototype, and Pierre Rolland sailing his own design continue to keep the pressure on as they approach Fort Boyard, the disbanded prison off La Rochelle.

Once they clear Boyard they'll be on track and should arrive in Lanzarote by 17 September. - Source: www.yachting-world.com

Event website at www.transat650.org (the site is in french only)

Mini Transat Start Postponed

September 7, 2003 - The start of the Mini Transat, scheduled for 1730 local time this afternoon (Sunday) has been delayed until Tuesday because of the weather conditions.

Monday afternoon a depression centered over the UK is expected to lash the course with 40-45 knots westerly winds and gusts of 60 knots at a time when the boats will be crossing the continental shelf. Even in moderate conditions the seas are sharper here because of the dramatic swallowing of the water. In severe conditions sailing upwind into breaking waves could be treacherous.

The Mini Transat's organisers politically cannot afford to have a repeat of the 1999 race when numerous boats were broken and several skippers were forced to be airlifted off their boats most courtesy of the Spanish rescue authorities. In France the Mini Transat only happens thanks to a special dispensation from the Minister of Transport, so the organisers of the Mini Transat cannot afford to risk putting the future of their race in jeopardy. - Source: www.dailysail.com

For more background on Jonathan McKee's campaign, Click Here