The 90 sailors in the Mini-Transat La Boulangère have been dockside in the Bassin des Chalutiers in La Rochelle since Wednesday evening, ready to welcome visitors who come to admire the 6.50m monohulls before the start of Leg 1 to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Sunday 22 September.
On the program
From Saturday 14 September at 10:00 hours, the village will open its doors every day through until the race start. Access is free and the program of entertainment is bursting at the seams.
Among the many attractions are the on-the-water beginners’ sessions on a Caravelle sailing dinghy, Mini J and paddleboard, as well as a tasting session for local produce and exchanges with the skippers.
The public will also be able to attend round tables with the female rugby players from the local Stade Rochelais pitch and female skippers from the Mini-Transat La Boulangère, along the theme of ‘sport in the feminine’.
Hopes from the Stade Rochelais will also be in attendance with their coaches for autograph-signing sessions. It’s worth noting that their elders are the patrons of this 22nd edition of the Mini-Transat La Boulangère.
On Sunday 15 September at 17:00hrs, the 90 sailors will gather on the main stage of the race village for the official skippers’ presentation. Don’t miss it!
A host of exceptional patrons
Before setting sail from La Rochelle across the Atlantic, a number of skippers will christen their boats, an action said to bring the sailor good luck.
Keni Piperol will kick off proceedings on Saturday 14 at 15:00 hours. Former footballer for the French squad and 1998 world champion, Lilian Thuram will be the patron of his boat, number FRA956.
Sailing legends Catherine Chabaud and Loick Peyron, together with TV presenter Sandrine Quetier, will also grace La Rochelle as boat patrons over the course of the week.
More information: www.minitransat.fr
