2009 TransAt Entry list

Classe Mini posted the first list of 2009 TransAt entries on their website today.

http://www.classemini.com/index.php?preaction=joint&id_joint=117728

I am on the list in the DCQ section for foreigners.

In Voiles et Voilers.....

A link to an article in the French sailing magazine, Voiles et Voilers, about the boat.

http://www.voilesetvoiliers.com/chantier/article/927/monotype-de-regate-nacira-650-a-la-mode-proto

Latest Pics

Here are some pics I received today. Getting closer.......

2009 Mini Guide

Here is a link to the 2009 Mini Guide:

http://www.classemini.com/download/Guide_Mini_Internet_2009.pdf

Mini TransAt NOR

For those who prefer it in English.....
http://www.wmaker.net/classemini_en/download/NOR_Transat_650_09.pdf

Mini TransAt Notice of Race

Here is the link to the 2009 Mini TransAt Notice of Race, in French

http://www.classemini.com/download/Avis_de_Course_Transat_650_09.pdf

I almost have a boat

Here are some pics of my boat from last week. The hull shell is done and ready for the internal structure. The deck is pretty close as well.

I have been working on getting my sponsor/marketing proposal done. As soon as I have a working version, I will post a copy.

On the race front, I should have some more news by Dec. 1.

Hull #1 getting measured

Here are some pics of Hull #1 going through the Classe Mini stability tests. It passed.

Updates

The testing of hull #1 is far enough along with excellent results for the builder to start on #2 which will be my boat.
The boat should be complete in about 4 weeks. The boat will go into winter storage after getting a short bit of sailing in if at all possible before the weather gets really cold. If the weather does not cooperate the boat will go into storage for the winter and training in earnest begins in the Spring.

Another Sailing Pic

New Sailing pics

Hull #1, interior

Even more pics

More pics of hull #1, FRA 721

Hull #1 pics

More pics of boat #1

Plug for the keel bulb


Deck for boat #1 with core foam being fitted


Deck for boat #1 bagged for infusion

Hull #1 pic

Here is hull #1 with the internal structure added.

WIRW

Another Whidbey Island Race week is now in the history books, this edition was the first since Gary Stuntz bought the regatta. Overall I would give Gary a solid "A" grade. I class 0 we got 10 races in 4 days since there was no wind on Wednesday. I was on the Melges 32, Ballistic. This was the same boat I sailed on 2 years ago when we were boat of the week. This year we did not do quite as well.

Monday and Tuesday we struggled a bit on all fronts and our results showed. Thursday and Friday we had a much better result posting a 2,1,3,1 in the last four races and ending the regatta on a very good note.

Coming up next for me is Big Boat Series on San Francisco, Sept. 11-14

Mini news

Just got word today that things are proceeding along on the tooling but also going a bit slower than planned. What this means is Hull #2 will not be ready until the end of August. Adding to the matter is the owner of Hull #3 had arranged for his boat to be in the Grand Pavois boat show in La Rochelle in mid September and #3 will not be ready for that. So I have agreed to trade build slots with Pascal and he will get #2 and I will get #3.
This means my boat will be done at the end of September. I will travel to La Rochelle at that time to take delivery. We have a training session planned on Oct. 3 and then a regatta on Oct. 4-5. I will likely then stay in France for a few more weeks training and getting the boat sorted. At the end of October there is also a training session for all three of the Nacira minis in Quiberon.

LBRW

Am just back from Long Beach, CA where I sailing on Dave Kirby's J-122, TKO. We sailed in a PHRF Class with a J125, a newer Tripp 41, a Beneteau 44.7 and a Farr 395. On Friday the breeze topped out at about 11 knots and we struggled a bit without a genoa in the Long Beach lump. Saturday started out somewhat light and built through the day getting up close to 20 knots of breeze at the end of the day. Sunday's first race started in about 17 knots of breeze and held pretty steady arounf there throughout the day.
Our class ended up being one of attrition with the Farr 395 missing the third race on Saturday and not making it out on Sunday at all. The Beneteau 44.7 turned around on the motor out on Sunday moring and we did not see them the rest of the day. That left us, the J125 and the Tripp 41 to race on Sunday. The Tripp and the J125 had traded firsts and seconds throughout the weekend with us just ahead of the, now absent, Beneteau. Mid-way up the second beat of the first race the J125 dropped their jib and headed in. It sounded like they yelled to us that they had heard a loud crack from below and were calling it a day. The noise turned out to be their #3 track ripping out of the deck. The 125 did not need any assistance from us so we continued racing along with the Tripp. For the final race we match raced a bit for the start with both boats starting on Port, us closer to the boat. The Tripp gradually extended throughout the race giving them the win and the regatta and us a second in the race and third for the regatta. The J125 held on to get second.
Was a good group and a fun event.

Revision of plans

With the August launch, I am now thinking I will do a short bit of sailing in La Rochelle to essentially sea trial the boat and then send it straight away to L'Escala. If the weather conditions allow, I still could do the 1000 mile qualifier in the Atlantic. If not, I can do the DH race to Barcelona and then do the 1000 mile qualifier on the Med course and then the Mini-Barcelona.
Ah, the fun of revising plans, at this point they are just plans though.
Next, I will be getting on with sponsorship matters. Ideally I am looking for a company which wants to increase their presence in both US and EU markets. From the media impression data, the public especially in Europe, follows Mini racing with great enthusiasm. Also, sailors are savvy enough that they understand the motivation of companies which support sailing and want to support these companies by buying their products. I think Mount Gay Rum is probably the best example of this. In recent years, Acura, Rolex, Sperry TopSider and Captain Morgan all have tested the water by supporting events or teams.
One potential challenge is that there are a few restrictions on what sort of companies can sponsor individual boats/teams. The most notable one is that sponsorships from tobacco and alcohol companies are not allowed

great pic

One of my favorite Mini pics, from the 2007 TransAt second leg start in Maderia.

Present plans for 2008

Just heard from the builder today, my projected delivery date is August, 15. This should allow me to complete the 1000 mile qualifying sail in the Atlantic and then ship the boat to L'Escala for the Mini Empuries (doublehanded) in September and the Mini Barcelona in October.
I will keep the boat in the Med through the Winter as this should afford me more opportunities to train versus having the boat in Brittany.
Also there are some early season races in Italy in 2009 that I am planning to do before heading back to La Rochelle in late April- early May 2009.

Mini Calendar 2008

http://http://www.wmaker.net/classemini/index.php?action=telechargement&startdownload=Calendrier_Courses_2008.pdf&startid=33376&classeur=

TransAt Press results

Here are the links to the 2005 and 2007 Mini TransAt Press results. The 2005 results are in English, the 2007 results are presently only available in French

2005: http://www.wmaker.net/classemini_en/index.php?action=telechargement&startdownload=2005_Transat_Press_Results.pdf&startid=18715&classeur=

2007: http://www.wmaker.net/classemini/index.php?action=telechargement&startdownload=Info_Presse_Transat_6-_50_2007.pdf&startid=31592&classeur=

completed hull plug

Deck plug just about done

Deck plug getting close to finished

Hull plug getting closer