Please select your home edition
Edition
Musto 2023 Hikers LEADERBOARD

Joshua Schopfer wins the second leg of the SAS regatta and finishes 4th overall

by Joshua Schopfer 13 Aug 17:24 BST
Joshua Schopfer wins the SAS regatta Leg 2 © Vincent Olivaud

The Swiss / British sailor has got his campaign for the Mini Transat 2025 off to a perfect start. After four podium finishes in the Mediterranean, he scored his first major victory on the second leg of the SAS - Les Sables - les Açores - Les Sables, which he finished in fourth place overall.

Aged 25 and in his first season of offshore racing, Joshua Schopfer, from Geneva won the second leg of the SAS - Les Sables - les Açores - Les Sables against 47 competitors in the Series category.

The skipper crossed the finish line of the 2nd leg on Monday 12 August at 11h22'59'' (French time). It took him 7 days 19 hours 22 minutes 59 seconds to complete this 2nd leg. His cumulative race time over the two legs is 17 days 18 hours 17 minutes 33 seconds. The SAS is the most important regatta in the Mini class, with the exception of the Mini Transat.

"I'm really pleased to have won this regatta, because I've been under a lot of pressure throughout the race," he said. "During the last four days, the tension was at its highest because of my position; I discovered that it's quite uncomfortable to be chased..."

The regatta took place in a wide variety of conditions, but was marked by a steady breeze and boat-breaking seas, which at times forced the competitors to apply the brakes. "For three days, we sailed under spinnaker in 20-25 knots of wind, peaking at 30 knots, which wasn't easy. At times, we also found ourselves up against some pretty steep seas, which was very uncomfortable."

After four podium finishes in the Mediterranean this spring, Joshua has finally achieved a major victory. "I've been waiting for this for a long time. I'm happy because I'd come close to winning in the Mediterranean, but I hadn't managed to conclude in the lead. The SAS is the big race of the year. I'm proud to have won the second leg."

The learning curve for the Mini Transat will continue for another year, but Joshua feels that he has made immense progress in recent weeks. "In particular, I've learnt that I'm capable of spending ten days at sea alone. I'm also starting to get to know my boat really well and that's great. On this second leg, I was able to show that I'm starting to get the hang of things."

More information at joshua-schopfer.com

Related Articles

Ambre Hasson debriefs her Classe Mini 2024 season
Debriefing the 2024 Classe Mini season with Franco American skipper Ambre Hasson Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, to debrief her 2024 Classe Mini season as she works towards next year's Mini Transat 2025. Posted on 27 Aug
First big offshore regatta for Joshua Schopfer
Swiss-British sailor ready for The SAS (Les Sables - Les Açores - Les Sables) After three months of preparations and racing in the Mediterranean, Swiss-British sailor Joshua Schopfer has been back in Brittany since the end of June and is actively preparing for his first major single-handed ocean race. Posted on 17 Jul
Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign
An update Q&A with Ambre Hasson ahead of the Sables - Les Açores - Sables 2024 Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, as she works towards the Mini Transat 2025. This is the third of four interviews with the American Classe Mini skipper as she progresses through four double- or singlehanded 2024 events. Posted on 16 Jul
Rebecca Coles makes remarkable Classe Mini debut
Second place for Scottish sailor in Mini Fastnet Scottish sailor Rebecca Coles, just 23 years old, achieved an impressive second-place finish in her debut Classe Mini offshore sailing race, the Mini Fastnet, alongside renowned co-skipper Carlos Manera Pascual. Posted on 17 Jun
Fine second for Joshua Schopfer & Arnaud Machado
In the Italian classic Roma Per Due Teaming up with Arnaud Machado, Joshua Schopfer finished second in the Roma Per Due regatta. He also finished second in last month's Arcipelago Regatta alongside Giovanni Bignardi, making a fine debut in the Mini class. Posted on 23 Apr
Peters & May proudly sponsors Aina Bauza
The 29-year-old Mallorcan sailor made history by setting the new transatlantic sailing world record Peters & May proudly announces its sponsorship of Aina Bauza, the 29-year-old Mallorcan sailor who has made history by setting the new transatlantic sailing world record as the first woman to navigate solo aboard her 6.5-meter monohull. Posted on 10 Apr
Ambre Hasson on her Classe Mini campaign
A Q&A with Ambre Hasson about her Classe Mini campaign Sail-World checked in with Ambre Hasson, the skipper of Mini 618, who is working towards the Mini Transat 2025. This is the first of four interviews with the Hasson as she progresses through six double- or singlehanded 2024 events. Posted on 2 Apr
Classe Mini turns 30 with new rules plan
Keeping sailing costs down as well as organising a birthday celebration later in the year As Classe Mini turns 30 this year, organisers are planning on changing class rules to keep sailing costs down as well as organising a birthday celebration later in the year. Posted on 27 Mar
An exciting year in the making for Joshua Schopfer
Ready to take the helm of his new boat in preparation for the 2025 Mini-Transat After covering 3,200 nautical miles at sea in 2023, Joshua Schopfer has started 2024 on a high by acquiring his new boat, a Maxi 6.50, which finished 4th in the last Mini-Transat, skippered by Felix Oberle. Posted on 19 Jan
24th La Boulangère Mini Transat summary
Less than 5% abandonments The 24th edition of La Boulangère Mini Transat, unquestionably one of best events, lived up to all its promises, writing one of the most unforgettable chapters in the history of the competition and, more broadly, in offshore racing. Posted on 20 Nov 2023