The start of the 15th Marie-Agnès Péron Trophy is shifted to Thursday, June 6, at 8am. First warning signal at 7:52am.
This decision, made by the race director Denis Hugues in consultation with the Winches Club (organizer of the Marie-Agnès Péron Trophy), is due to the weather conditions forecast for Friday. A depression rising from the Bay of Biscay is indeed expected on the southern coast of Bretagne with wind at 30-35 knots.
The briefing with the skippers initially scheduled for Thursday, June 6, 2019 in the morning at the “Maison du Nautisme” is shifted to 7pm on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the “Maison du Nautisme”.
Paul Gauchet, portrait.
At the age of 18 years and 8 days, Paul Gauchet is the youngest participant of the 15th edition of the Marie-Agnès Péron Trophy. He is a professional skipper who started sailing at the age of 7 on a dinghy. Teenager, attracted by keelboats, he started sailing on J80, Open 5.7 as well as Classic Sail. He has been sailing for 5 years now and has already participated three times in the Spi Ouest-France race.
Paul has long dreamed of solo sailing offshore and found out about the Mini on Youtube by chance. This type of navigation seems to be one of the best ways to pursue his dreams since the challenge of a transatlantic on a small boat of 6.50 meters seems simply fantastic. The atmosphere and fame of the Mini Class skippers have strengthened Paul’s choice. He is currently training with Julien Pulvé at La Rochelle.
The Marie-Agnès Péron Trophy will be its 5th Mini race and the 4th race of the season. He took part in all the Atlantic races of the Mini 2019 circuit. His boat is the 616, “Vida Pura”, a 2006 Manuard Tip-Top.
« Pass your Mini first ! »
Thanks to his partners and the unfailing support from his parents, Paul takes part in two races at Douarnenez (in team with Thomas Racoupeau for the Mini-Fastnet) and aims for 25/30 in the overall ranking. “What really matters to me is finding the right management of my time and energy during the race. “
One trophy and a lot of contenders.
Few numbers:
72 skippers on 56 series boats and 16 prototypes, are registered for the 15th Trophée Marie-Agnès Péron.
11 nations are represented: Germany, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Poland, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, Switzerland
Potential podium contenders:
The first Atlantic races of the year 2019, PLASTIMO LORIENT MINI, the Pornichet Select and La Mini in May, provide an overview of the sailor-boat couples that could claim the podiums at Douarnenez.
On the series boats side, the “nez rond”, les maxi 650 plan Raison, including the 951 led by Paul Cloarec, question the supremacy of the Pogo 3 on the PLM.
Pogo 3 was nevertheless at the forefront during La Mini in May with notably Arnaud Machado on board of the 910 and Amelie Grassi on board of the 944. Ambrogio Beccaria will of course also be present on board of the 943 to defend his title.
On the prototype boats side, Erwan le Méné on board of the 800 is a strong concurrent with the needed experience to challenge the 865, which has impressive records, led by François Jambou.
“No way I’ll become the Poulidor of the 2019 season!” said Axel Tréhin after La Mini in May. On Tartine, the 945 plan Lombard, Axel, who arrived twice second and once third since April, is very hungry for success.
In series or proto, the race promises to be exciting!
For the record, the 2018 Podiums:
Series: 1 – 943 – Ambrogio Beccaria, 2 – 920 – Erwan The Draoulec, 3 – 893 – Davy Beaudart
Prototype: 1 – 865 – François Jambou, 2 – 800 – Erwann Le Méné, 3 – 934 – JoergRiechers
The 15th Trophée Marie-Agnès Péron is on!
Since yesterday morning 9am, volunteers of the Winches Club are welcoming the skippers. This year, the registration takes place in a prefabricated near a crane located at the platform of Port of Tréboul. Registrations, security checks, distribution of T-shirts and of tokens for drinks take place now at the same place. We recall that the security check is mandatory to take part in the race and it is imperative to book a time slot to for that before Wednesday.
THE WORLD OF THE MINI’S TODAY
Today, the Mini class unites about 300 members, mainly racers, from all professional horizons, from the carpenter to the engineer, from the sailing instructor to the banker, from the journalist to the professional skipper. Continue reading THE WORLD OF THE MINI’S TODAY
History of the Mini Class
8 October 1977, Penzance (United Kingdom), 24 sailing boats of 6.50 m take to the open sea with a solo sailor on board towards Antigua in the Caribbean, via Tenerife (Canaries islands). Continue reading History of the Mini Class
Douarnenez’s three harbours
Like other ports with strong personalities, the sea is, of course, indissolubly linked with the image of “Penn Sardin” (“Sardine Head”) city. The past affirms the strength of its roots out of which have grown the town’s three harbours.
Press Pack
The Winches Club volunteers
Ground Logistics :
These are the muscles of the team. They transport the tables, seating and barriers for the prizegivings, social events and other festivities. They also put down the race markers at sea. Continue reading The Winches Club volunteers
History of the Marie-Agnès Péron trophy
This race was created to honour the memory of Marie-Agnès Péron, a competitor lost at sea during the Mini-Transat that started from Tréboul in 1991 and organized by the Winches Club.