Mini Update |
| Tuesday, 20 May 2003 |
Both Ian Munslow (326) and Cian McCarthy (393) are currently racing in the Mini Pavois race from La Rochelle to Portsmouth. This 800 mile, single-handed race is being used as training for both skippers as they prepare for this year’s Transat 6.50 race which leaves La Rochelle on September 14th, bound for Salvador in Brazil.
Ian Munslow and ‘Ishtar’ qualify automatically for this year’s Transat by virtue of competing in, and finishing, the 2001 event.
For Cian, skipper of the latest Owen Clarke mini, ‘The Tom Crean’, qualification has been a more arduous affair. He successfully completed his 1000-mile solo qualifier during the first week of April. Having already completed the requisite racing miles last season this was the last hurdle to race entry.
The qualifying voyage was largely uneventful and was in stark contrast to the first attempt at the end of last season which ended in near disaster. A collision with a car carrier resulted in the boat being dismasted and sustaining damage to the bow and hull side as most of the spinnaker gear was carried away. Following a winter re-fit and a new paint job by Stig McDonald, the boat was re-launched at the end of March and a new All Spars mast was stepped.
All being well the start of this year’s Transat should see two Owen Clarke designs on the start line.
|
Email this page to a friend  |
|
