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

Jonathan McKee has been training (and qualifying for) for the 2003 Mini Transat Yacht Race, a 4,200 mile singlehanded ocean race from France to Brazil. The Mini Transat will start from La Rochelle September 7. The event features 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," explains an enthusiastic Jonathan McKee.

This is what happens when you take a champion one design/Olympic Class sailor and asked him to play the ultra-complex Mini-6.5 Meter class game. In April, McKee completed a 1000-mile qualifying sail and then a double handed event with Brian Thompson, the previous owner of Jonathan's custom boat, a Simon Rogers design. In May, Johathan won the Mini Pavois International Race Of Mini Bulwark Series - his first experience racing off-shore alone.

Jonathan did not compete in the Mini Fastnet race, but chose instead to return home to race in the Tasar Worlds with his wife Libby - they won. July 12-14, McKee won the Demi Cle racing two-handed with his brother Bates. Racing July 19-30, Jonathan initially finished first in the Transgascogne Race, but was penalized for missing a turning point and that altered the standings.

Following the Transgacogne Race, Jonathan McKee used his down time onshore to make small improvements on his boat, look hard at ocean tactics and logisitics, and stay prepared mentally and physically for the race. He returned to Europe August 25 to make the last adjustments two weeks prior to the race.

On September 7, the Mini Transat will take 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 highlights of the Mini Pavois International, the Demi Cle and the Transgascogne Race - including McKee's comments. To see more on the boat, track what events Jonathan has done and his upcoming schedule - click here.

MINI PAVOIS INTERNATIONAL RACE RECAP:

Leg One, May 20, 2003 - American Jonathan McKee won the first stage of the Mini Pavois race, an international singlehanded yacht race sailed in 6.5 Meter (22 foot) boats. This is a 500-mile race with one stop. The first leg is from La Rochelle to Portsmouth. It is a high performance solo/Mini racing event largely dominated by the Europeans.

After more than two days of battling relentless 25 knot winds and severe waves, Jonathan McKee won the initial leg of the Mini Pavois International Race for solo sailors. In his very first single handed race aboard his prototype Mini 6.5 meter class boat, Jonathan McKee surfed "Team McLube" to victory. Once surfing conditions had fully kicked in, Jonathan stretched to an impressive 5 hour lead by the time he reached the first leg finish line in Portsmouth.

McKee and four of the leaders from the first leg were penalized for missing a mark at the opening stage of the leg north from La Rochelle. "There was bad visibility. It wasn't a turning mark, it was more of a channel mark," commented McKee. The race committee gave McKee a time penalty of four hours - so he still won leg one of the Mini Pavois.

Leg Two, May 28, 2003 - The second leg saw only 26 boats cross the start line after strong winds depleted 11 boats from the fleet that had sailed in the first leg. Jonathan McKee again did a horizon job on the competition.

After leaving on this final leg, which takes the fleet from Portsmouth to the finish line at Dournanez, France, McKee poured on the speed and stretched his lead to just over 3 hours ahead of the next competitor - Spanish competitor Doin Pascal on "ASNQ."

In dominating his first solo race in the class, McKee certainly has a huge psychological advantage over his competitors.

DEMI CLE OPEN TWO-HANDED RECAP IN HIS OWN WORDS . . . (July 12-14, 2003):

Libby, Allegra and I arrived in Paris 6 days before the start. Somehow we dragged our mountains of gear to the train station and stayed awake long enough to board our train Nantes, then another train to Lorient, then a taxi to Locmiquelic. We checked into the house we had rented over the internet, which included the most amazing collection of bric-abrac and other bizarre embellishments at no extra charge. Over the next 4 days I prepared the boat while Libby and Allegra explored the surrounding country. There was a lot to do to get Team McLube in racing trim, but luckily I had some help. Tanguy De Lamotte had stored the boat and done some work since the Mini Pavois, and he helped get us in the water again. Charlie Dalin, a French naval architecture student, was a big help in the preparation, and Grant Spanhake, my sail designer and friend from OneWorld, did a lot of work fine tuning the sails. My partner for the race was my brother Bates, who arrived the day before and helped prepare the navigation for the race. We had not really raced together since our 505 days about 25 years ago. With Libby’s help and Allegra’s good humor, somehow we were more of less ready to race by start time.

We sailed out of Lorient harbor to the starting area in a light northwesterly which held for the start. Nearly the whole fleet was on the line for the upwind start, it was quite a sight! The first mark was just SE of the Glenans chain of islands, 20 miles upwind. The fleet split, with a group of 10 boats tacking to port for the shore, and most of the fleet, including Team McLube, staying on starboard, which was more rhumb line. As we got lifted the inshore pack was looking good, but then their breeze died a bit and the offshore pack was looking better again. After a few tacks it was very close as we approached the first mark in the fading light. In the end it was Team McLube rounding first, followed 30 seconds later by the leader from the right, then Kenmore/JMST sailed by Nick Bubb and Richard Woolf. As darkness descended the wind was gradually lifting for the next 10 mile leg to Spineg. We set the fractional code 0, then the masthead code 0, then the spinnaker, eventually squaring away to a run. As we approached Spineg it was neck and neck among the first 3, with the whole fleet close on our heels. The breeze had built to 12 knots from the east, making the next leg a fetch on port tack. After a mad scramble at the mark, Team McLube rounded 10 seconds ahead of Nick and Richard, and the third boat inexplicably sailed past the mark. As we settled into upwind trim, it was a boat speed battle between us and Kenmore. They had the better of it for the first few miles, and gradually rolled over the top of us. But then Bates got us in the groove and we managed to foot through their lee to round the mark just ahead.

The next leg was upwind for about 25 miles to the SE corner of Ile de Groix, then a short reach to Lorient. We had a spirited battle with Richard and Nick all night and morning, always within 10 lengths of each other. We got a little shift near Groix and opened up a 10 minute lead by the time we got to Lorient. We could see a few boats behind us, but by now the fleet had dispersed a bit and it seemed like a 2 boat race, with 80 miles to sail to Port Bourgenay. But the easterly breeze gradually died, and by the time we got to Quiberon it was almost dead. In the heat of the afternoon we parked for about 3 hours, watching Kenmore sail up to us. Then they made a daring move that looked like a race winner. They cut inside the Houat string of islands while we had committed to the outside, and seemed to be carrying the old wind into the lead. Just as our frustration was peaking, we started to get some breeze again and took off on a reach toward the finish under cover of darkness.

It was a beautiful night of sailing, beam reaching in 8 knots of wind with smooth seas and a lovely full moon. We could see one boat on our stern, and we knew Nick and Richard had taken the inside track. But we felt we were still in control as we reeled off the miles toward Bourgenay. But as dawn approached the breeze abruptly died, then gradually filled from offshore. We got retrimmed for the new course and once again seemed in good shape with 30 miles to go. As dawn broke we could see Kenmore about a mile astern. We got headed and swapped the spinnaker for the Code 0. Kenmore had switched sooner and thus was more offshore, but as long as we held our breeze we were in good shape. But of course the breeze started to fade near the finish, and we got a bit nervous. But it held long enough for us to sneak across the finish line, 32 minutes ahead of Richard and Nick.

As we approached the dock in Port Bourgenay there was one more surprise in store for us. Tied up at the dock was Peter De Smedt in Huysman, who had finished the course nearly an hour before, sailing singlehanded. Anyways, it was a great match race with Kenmore/JMST all around the course, and it was great to sail with Bates again after so long. All systems are go on Team McLube as our preparations continue toward the Transat in September. Thanks again to my sponsors and supporters who made this race possible, and thanks to Yves and Jacqueline Niort and Demi-Cle Ship Chandlers for putting on this event.

Final Results:

Open Singlehanded: Peter De Smedt “Huysman”
Open Doublehanded Jonathan & Bates McKee “Team McLube”
Series Singlehanded Gilles Guillerm “Blue Bossa”
Series Doublehanded David Raison/Jeanne Gregoire “Un Sponsor pour ma Transat”

TRANSGASCOGNE RACE RECAP - Stage 1 (as Posted at www.transgascogne.com): Port Bougenay, France: The Transgascogne race got underway on Sunday July 20. This is the final regatta for the Mini 6.5 class before September's Mini Transat.

The Transgascogne is sailed both single and doublehanded, the two legs of the race take the fleet from Port Bougenay, France, north to Belle Isle, then across the Bay of Biscay to Gijon Spain (350 nm), then back to Port Bougenay (direct, 250 nm).

Less than half an hour separated the first three to round Belle Isle: the single handed prototypes. The fleet is making progress towards Gijon tonight at about 6 knots in choppy seas. The forecast is for winds to diminish from 10 to 5 knots.

Top three by class as they rounded Belle Isle:

Prototypes - Single handed
1. Frederic Duthil, All Mer
2. Armel Tripon, Moulin Roty
3. Jonathan McKee, Team McLube

TRANSGASCOGNE RACE - Stage 2

July 28, 2003 - Port Bourgenay, France: The second stage of the race has was dramatically different than the drifting, lightwind first stage. The Mini fleet encountered winds as high as 30 knots on Saturday, weakening to 18-20 knots Saturday night.

Sunday morning the fleet leaders were 100 miles from the finish and were sailing in southwest winds of 15 knots. Only 37 competitors radioed their positions at that time, but the race director, Alain Dura, on Sunday night reported from the ship shadowing the fleet that conditions had decreased to 10 knots, with the boats making 6 knots towards the finish. If those conditions hold, the first boat could be expected at 2 a.m. Monday.

Two leaders did not report in - McKee and Duthil. Only six minutes separated them at the finish of the first stage. Thus the standings were sure to change dramatically as the sailors cross the second stage finish line.

July 29, 2003 - Port Bourgenay, France: Initially expected to arrive in the first hours of Monday morning, the first boats made it across the finish line Sunday night.

The first to cross was Armel Tripon on Moulin Roty at 2330hrs. The second finisher was American Jonathan McKee, but his position is at risk because he did not properly round a departure buoy at Gijon. The jury will meet with him and others on Wednesday to resolve this dispute (and a few others) and release the final standings for the race. Eskil Degsell finished third in this second stage of the race.

Class Standings (Taken Prior Jury Meeting)

Prototypes - Single handed (after two legs):
1 247 TEAM MC LUBE (MCKEE JONATHAN) 4j.14:58:44
2 151 MOULIN ROTY (TRIPON ARMEL) 4j.15:40:24
3 429 CLASSIC (DEGSELL ESKIL) 4j.16:07:19

IN HIS OWN WORDS . . . The Transgascogne Race by Jonanthan McKee's Account and a look ahead to the MiniTransat:

The race had a mass start as 67 minis crowded onto the line for a short beat to windward, then a 1 mile beam reach to an offset mark, before setting off upwind for the 80 mile trip up the coast to Belle Ille, before crossing the Bay of Biscay to Spain. The wind was 8 knots from the NW for the start with a westerly swell. Frederic Duthil on All Mer led the fleet around the first 2 marks, with Armel Tripon on Moulin Roty and Nick Bubb on Kenmore/JMST close behind. Eskil Degsell’s beautiful new Lombard mini “Classic” and Team McLube were a bit behind but quickly moved near the front of the pack as the fleet tacked up the coast. 10 miles into the race, it was All Mer and McLube leading at the first gate at Les Sables d’Ollones. Enrico Podesta’s Slam and Tobias Hochreutener’s Ti Wai had also moved up near the front. This was the first big tactical decision of the race, as most of fleet continued to play the French shore in the light sea breeze, but a few boats chose an offshore route.

It was nice sailing all afternoon and early evening in the light upwind conditions. Just after midnight the fleet converged on the next gate inshore of Ile de Yeu. It was the offshore group that arrived first, with Duthil in the lead, followed by Tripon and Degsell. Team McLube led the inshore pack to round fourth. As we emerged from the lee of the island, a 12 knot westerly had filled in for a beautiful beam reach for 40 miles to Belle Ille. As dawn broke, All Mer had a nice lead of about 20 minutes, followed by Moulin Roty. Team McLube was 5 minutes further back, with Classic next. As we rounded the island at midday, the breeze had built to a solid 15-18 knots from the west with big waves. All Mer tacked right around the island, getting onto the favored starboard tack toward Gijon, and Moulin Roty tacked just to weather. McLube and Classic carried on a bit on port, choosing a more westerly routing across the Bay of Biscay.

The nice westerly held all day, but as night fell it began to die, and as morning approached the wind was down to 6 knots. All the next day and night the fleet struggled with a fickle westerly, ranging from 2-8 knots. Most of the boats stayed on starboard tack, as this tack was closer to rhumb line. But McLube, Classic and a few others took some short tacks to the west during the night, looking for more breeze. As the third day dawned, the top 4 boats were all within sight. Fred Duthil and I were right next to each other, with Moulin Roty to the east and Classic to the west. We played the shifts all morning, and I gradually worked out to a ¼ mile lead. Suddenly a 15 knot northwester filled in, and we all set our reaching jibs for the 30 mile sprint to the Spanish coast. McLube was just ahead of All Mer homing into the finish, while Classic had a better angle up to windward. Moulin Roty got the new breeze later and fell out of contention for the leg win.

As the coast of Spain came into view it was clear that the wind was going to die near the finish, which was just off the marina breakwater. With 2 miles to go it appeared there might be enough wind to ghost to the finish, but with ½ mile to go, the wind lifted and nearly died to nothing. I rushed to set a spinnaker in the fading breeze, while Duthil closed in with the old breeze, sticking with his Code 0. Classic also had some wind further to the west, but now had a run to the finish in the lifting breeze. With 500 meters to the finish, I was virtually parked, struggling to fill the spinnaker, while All Mer coasted right up to me. Just as the wily Frenchman was about to roll me, the kite thankfully filled and I got a bit of speed on. The breeze died twice more, but eventually I was able to nurse my Mini across the finish line, 6 minutes ahead of Duthill and 22 minutes ahead of the Swede Degsell. Tripon finished an hour later, and the rest of the fleet filtered in during the night. It was a thrilling and satisfying finish to a long light race. I was happy with how I sailed, but recognize I was a little lucky in my positioning. Nevertheless, I was another leg victory for Team McLube and I collapsed in bed that night a very happy man.

After 2 days of rest in the beautiful seaside town of Gijon, it was back to sea for the return trip to France. This leg was a straight shot to Port Bourgenay, 240 miles away (or so I thought). Again it was a light air beat for the start. After 4 hours of slow going, the forecast front suddenly passed over the fleet, and it was now beam reaching in 8-12 knots, straight down the rhumb line. Classic had played the light upwind well and held a 1 mile lead over Moulin Roty, All Mer and Team McLube.

Just as it was getting dark, things started to get interesting. A dark squall suddenly descended on the fleet, and the wind abruptly rose to 25 knots. We struggled to douse our big reaching sails in the now pounding rain. After putting in a reef in my main, I glanced back to see Classic head to wind, struggling to change sails. In the limited visibility I couldn’t see the other boats, so I just settled down to sail my own boat hard. As the initial squall passed, the breeze eased and lifted and I reset my code 0 and unreefed the main. Half an hour later it was still raining steadily but the breeze was down to 15 knots, so I set my biggest reacher. I thought I was smoking along, making 10-11 knots right on course, but I noticed a light closing in on me from astern. I didn’t know who it was, but I knew they had more sail up than me. I decided to set the big kite. As my largest sail snapped full, I took off at 14 knots, but 10 degrees low of rhumb line. The light of my rival was now abeam and to windward, and with the kite up he was no longer passing me. It was a wild fast ride for the next two hours, completely dark, raining, on the edge of control. Finally the wind built and headed some more, and after two minor nosedives I decided the kite had to go. So I executed a douse in 20 knots of wind and once again set my solent.

At this point, a strange glow of lights appeared ahead. As I sailed on it took the form of a fleet of fishing boats, dozens of them! I weaved between them, hoping they didn’t have nets between the lights. In all the confusion I lost track of the other mini light, and after passing the fishing fleet I was once again alone in the Bay of Biscay. I took a little nap, waking just before dawn. The breeze was still 20 knots but started easing as the sun came up. I once again set my fractional code 0, then shook out the reef. Since I couldn’t see anyone, I assumed I was in the lead, and I sailed quite conservatively all day. The wind died to 10-12 knots for most of the day, still beam reaching. I took a few naps, cooked some food, and pilot steered most of the day. As the sun was going down I was 30 miles from the finish. I could see one boat about 3 miles astern. The breeze lifted a little and I switched to my masthead reacher. As the lights of France appeared on the horizon I thought I was leading the race, but had no way of knowing.

I rounded the turning mark of Pt. Bourgenay just before midnight, and reached the last mile to the finish line. As I sailed into the harbor, there was Moulin Roty tied up at the dock, having finished 20 minutes ahead of me! I moored my boat and went over to congratulate Armel Tripon. He asked my why I had missed the turning mark just after the start. I had thought that there wasn’t one, based on the pre-race briefing in Gijon, but there was and I had missed it. I was incredibly frustrated by this news, knowing that I would be penalized enough to cost me the race vctory. In the end I was penalized just over an hour, which dropped me from first to fourth in the final standings.

While I am upset at not winning the race, I am philosophical about the overall experience. It was a great race with a wide range of conditions and good competition. I learned a lot, especially in the second leg, lessons that will be invaluable in the Transat. I know I have adequate speed in all conditions, and generally my tactics have been good. I need to improve my understanding of the sail crossovers reaching, and perfect my judgement about when to sleep and when to hand steer. But overall, I feel very good about where my program is right now, having won or nearly won every leg I sailed for the last 3 months.

But I have a lot of respect for the other top guys. Certainly Armel, Frederic and Nick have proven themselves worthy competitors, and now Eskil must be considered a real threat with his fast new boat. But in the end, I know I have the boat and the skills to be successful in the Transat. It is a different type of race from these coastal races, rewarding more long range tactics and endurance. It is perhaps more risky, since your competitors can be 100 miles away in a completely different wind (and you don’t even know it)! But I am looking forward to this challenge as I make my final preparations in the weeks ahead.

No matter what happens in September, it has been a great season of Mini racing. I have thoroughly enjoyed each event, and am so grateful to all the friends I have made along the way. I will cherish these memories for many years to come. Thanks again to Team McLube for their fantastic support, and to all the others who have helped make this dream of mine become a reality.

Final Results (Combined time of both legs)

Proto Singlehanded Armel Tripon Moulin Roty
Proto Doublehanded Olivier Servattaz Casoar

Series Singlehanded David Tabore Armens
Series Doublehanded Antoine Debled Total’ment

To see more on the boat and read Jonathan's comments about the upcoming Mini Transat - click here.