Joshua Schopfer in the Mini Transat - An intense start to the season!
by Joshua Schopfer 19 Aug 11:47 BST
Mini Transat Race © Bruno Bouvry
Heading for the Mini Transat: An Intense Start to the Season!
The beginning of the season has been full-on, marked by an intense phase of preparation on my boat Mingulay ahead of the Mini Transat, as well as numerous training sessions with the Lorient Grand Large training center.
The boat got a complete refit: new mast, new bowsprit, new ropes, new rigging, fully redone electronics, and a brand-new paint job on the hull, keel and rudders. In short, winter and spring were anything but restful! The training sessions helped validate all these new additions on board.
Pornichet Select - A Good Start Despite some Setbacks
The racing season kicked off with the Pornichet Select. I came in feeling confident, but probably a few training days short of being able to fight fully at the front of the fleet.
After a good start and a solid battle in the top 5 until halfway through, a few technical issues disrupted my race. The result: an 11th-place finish.
It was a short but demanding race, with tough conditions — including gusts up to 35 knots on the second night and freezing cold temperatures. I'm proud of how I handled the strong wind towards the end, and above all, of finishing the race, which was essential to validate my spot in the Mini Transat.
Trophée MAP - A Sweet Comeback
A few weeks later, I headed to Douarnenez for the Trophée Marie-Agnès Péron.
Leaving the harbor, I feared I would have to withdraw before even starting the race — when I engaged the autopilot, the tiller locked up and wouldn't move. Back to port, diagnosis of the autopilot system — luckily, I quickly found the problem. A quick and efficient repair, and I was back on the water.
Not the ideal start to the day, and I think it affected the first part of my race since it took me a while to really get into it.
After passing the Raz de Sein, I was in 14th place and determined to come back. PacMan mode activated — and by sunset, I was rounding the Glénan Islands in 7th place!
Next, we headed upwind, waiting for a wind shift. After a well-timed tack, it turned into a speed race all the way to the Occidentale de Sein. We were a tight group battling for 4th place in 20-25 knots of wind. It was intense! I eventually finished 5th — very satisfied with this strong comeback after the Pornichet Select.
Mini Fastnet - A Race of Transmission
The Mini Fastnet is one of the classic races on the circuit: a double-handed round-trip between France and Ireland, with 80 boats at the start.
I raced this one with my friend Aurélien Gard, the future owner of Mingulay. We had an excellent start on port tack, crossing ahead of a good part of the fleet.
Unfortunately, the wind was nowhere to be found for much of the race. A tactical decision cost us contact with the lead group — a costly mistake. Even though we kept pace in terms of speed, we never managed to catch back up.
We finished 17th — a bit disappointed, but with great memories: good laughs, dolphins, a few whales, and some solid battles right to the end with our direct competitors.
And Now, Full Focus on the Mini Transat!
The summer has been dedicated to physical and logistical preparation for the big Atlantic crossing, along with some sailing sessions aboard Alan Roura's IMOCA AMAALA as part of The Ocean Race Europe; a fantastic opportunity. Now, there's just one month to go before the Mini Transat — the final sprint is on.
There's a mountain of work beforehand, and it's crucial to anticipate everything in order to approach the final week calmly, focused only on weather and strategy.
A few numbers to give you an idea:
- 64: required medical items onboard
- 131: pieces of mandatory equipment checked by the organizers
- 30: days of food, packed into daily rations
- 80: spare parts in case of damage
The pressure is starting to build — a mix of excitement and doubts — but I think that's normal. This is a long-term project reaching its peak, and I know that once I'm on the water, I'll give it everything to have the best race possible.
I'm very proud of the path I've taken to get here, and I never could've done it without the support of my loved ones, friends, and partners. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Your name across the Atlantic
The Mini Transat is a solo race, but I need all of you to help me bring this project to fruition. Your donation will bring me closer to my goal and my dream!
Your name will be printed on the boat and will accompany me across the Atlantic! Your support will be very tangible, but also moral; you'll be with me on board Mingulay to share the less good times and, above all, the best times.
All support, even the most modest, is welcome.
I'm looking forward to sharing this challenging new season with you. Don't hesitate to follow my adventures on Instagram and Facebook, and to spread the word.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Click here to support my project and accompany me across the Atlantic.