Coconuts Sail Team aiming for transatlantic record on a Mini 6.50
by The Coconuts 13 Aug 2022 19:32 BST
The first official transatlantic record ever attempted on a Mini 6.50 © Pierre Bouras
For the Mini-Transat of 2021, skipper Jay Thompson and his family decided to join forces with the association Utopia 56, in solidarity and respect of the fundamental rights of exiles.
"Our experiences have taught us that borders are a constraint to humanity and that true human interaction knows no borders." Jay Thompson
Onboard his Mini 6.50 Speedy Gonzalez, that he himself custom built and whose sails have been repainted in the association's colors, Jay Thompson embarked on the famous 4,050 nautical mile (7,500 kilometers) single-handed race. In the prototype category, he finished 8th in the first leg in Santa Cruz de La Palma after 10d 17h 07m 45s, then 13th in the 2nd leg in Saint-François, Guadeloupe, after 16d 09h 56m 04s. Overall, he finished in 9th position out of 90 competitors and his overall time was 27d 03h 03m 49s.
But the adventure does not stop there...
In the summer of 2022, Jay will attempt to set the first official transatlantic speed record from New York to Lizard Point.
After 10 years of criss-crossing the world on the seas, the Coconuts Sail Team, composed of Natasha, Jay and their 4 children, have made Brittany their base since December 2015. With the goal of helping Jay realize his dreams in off-shore professional sail boat racing, the whole family is mobilized to make these races a real collective adventure.
Through sailing, the Coconuts Sail Team wants to transmit the ideas of freedom and equality that animate them. It was out of conviction, that they invited Utopia 56 to be a part of their adventure, in order to shed light on the situation of exiles in France, and the people who work alongside the exiles and help them.
"When the Coconuts family asked us to join them in this adventure, we didn't hesitate for a second! It is this type of encounter that motivates us every day to continue our actions" Yann Manzi - co-founder of Utopia 56
Like Utopia 56, the Coconuts Sail Team wishes to take advantage of the notoriety of the sailing community in order to mobilize those who have the capacity to help those in need.
Calendar
- May - Move boat from Saint-François in Guadeloupe to Newport, Rhode Island (US).
- August - Refit of the boat in Newport + departure for the transatlantic crossing from New York to Lizard Point (UK).
- September - Arrival in Brest (FR).