41 skippers already registered for the Mini Pavois...

On the 4th of March 2010, 41 sailors have registered for the 2010 Mini Pavois. Up to date, there are 18 prototypes and 23 series boats: 26 French sailors, 1 dual nationality sailor and 14 foreigners. Once again, the internationalization of the Classe Mini speaks for itself with the Spanish Jorge Maden Ruiz, a Turkish with Tolga Pamir, a Czech with Milan Kolacek, two Americans Andy Abel and Ryan Finn, two Dutchmen with Robert Rosen Jacobson and Lucas Schroder, a Scotsman with Ewan Stirling, a Belgian with Jonas Gerckens, a Canadian with Bruce Gailey, a German with Jorg Riechers, a Swiss with Etienne David, a Franco-Swiss with Thibault Reinhart and finally, a New Zealander with Conrad Colman.

Fair fights to come…

They are currently "only" 41 to be registered; it will fight hard in both categories.

Prototypes: Monitor Nicolas Boidevezi (719 - Défi G.D.E.) on its design Bertrand 2008 who finished 7th in the last The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50; Jorg Riechers (753 - Mare.de) on its a design Bertrand 2009 that is the 2009 Transgascogne's winner, as well as Sébastien Rogues (716 – Eole Génération – GDF Suez) that has traded his series boat for Henry Paul Schipman's boat - design Lombard - that was 3rd in Salvador de Bahia in 2009. Also note the arrival in the prototypes category of a Swiss that is already known in the sailing world: Etienne David (679 - Teamwork). With several participations in the Tour de France à la Voile and an impressive record of achievements, Etienne will sail off on Stéphane Le Diraison's former Manuard 2007 that finished 4th in the last The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6,50. Please also keep an eye on...Three new prototypes: Thomas Normand (787 – Financière de l’Echiquier) with a design Manuard 2009, Milan Kolacek (759 - Follow me) on another design Manuard 2009 and Thibault Reinhard (791) on a proto Marin 2010. Also rely on the only woman (for now), Véronique Loisel (429 – De l’espace pour la mer) that will sail on her proto Lombard 2003, which is none other than the boat that belonged to Alex Pella and that finished 2nd in the 2005 edition of The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50. Finally, note the arrival on the circuit of a free ride World Champion (extreme skiing) Aurélien Ducroz (417 – Nissan) on a proto Lombard. After plenty of challenges on snow, Aurelien wants a challenge at sea!

On the side of series boats, 14 Pogo 2 will line up for the start among the 23 sailors. Once again, Finot will be the most represented. There will be as well two Manuard's Tip-Top with Jorge Maden Ruiz (636 – Casio G-Shock) and Loïc Le Bras (579 – Cachaca) and we can celebrate the arrival of three new D2 - design Rolland - in the hands of Tolga Pamir (737 - Yakamoz), Pierre Cizeau (746 - E=MD2) and Brendan Archin (757 - Bibounde). Will the supremacy Pogo 2 be shattered? To be continued... Four competitors do their come back after their adventure in the 2009 Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50, namely Robert Rosen Jacobson (602-Ned602), Jonas Gerckens (473 - Zerline), Emmanuel Renaud (446 - Koati) and Conrad Colman (480 - Betelgeuse).