It’s Sunday February 23rd and those tiny sailboats that have been hanging around Falmouth began their around the world race. First stop Panama and yes, in keeping with the news from Washington about the canal, they will get very special treatment crossing Panama.
Actually, given how small these boats are, less than 20′ long, they will simply be pulled out of the water and put on a truck that will bring them over the mountains where they will be launched into the Pacific Ocean.
And, speaking of the Panama Canal, I am trying to imagine how these boats would handle the line handlers necessary for navigating the canal. Not a lot of room on board, that’s for sure.
All of these boats, here in Antigua, completed a qualifying passage, most leaving from Logos Portugal. Everyone made it here safely.
Perhaps a good place to begin is with a short video of highlights of the qualifying voyage “race” to Antigua.
The start was at the mouth of Falmouth Harbor and began with a parade of all participants out to the starting line. I ran, err walked, up the Goat Trail to the lookout to see the procession.
Even big boats look tiny from up high. But these, well teeny tiny. Not a lot larger than the dinks following them to the start.
By way of contrast, some of the Caribbean 600 race boats were out practicing. Their crew involves more individuals than the entire fleet of minis, by about double.
And, surely this spinnaker on the 100’+ Leopard surely cost more than the entire budget of the mini fleet.
With about 40 minutes to start, I scrambled, and nearly ran, down the trail, jumped into my dink and motored out to the starting line to watch the participants jockey for position.
There was a lot of action and loads of spectator boats trying to stay out of the way. I expect that this is about as close to another participant any of these boats is going to be until they are on the dock in Panama.
Spectator boats are always packed with crew and this one a very capable offshore boat itself.
A few minutes before the 5 minute gun.
Almost to the line.
And they’re off…
So funny to see the jockeying to be the first over the line with so many miles to go.
Heading off toward the horizon.
Almost gone… Next stop, Panama and the end of leg one.
I am really looking forward to following the fleet for the next year. The other night there was a meet and greet at the Sailing Academy where many of the skippers shared their stories and why they were embarking on this remarkable journey.
Some may say that to take on the ocean in such a small boat is foolhardy but having spent time understanding the design and meeting the skippers, many of whom built their own boats, it seems to me that while there is surely risk, these boats and hopefully the skippers that sail them are plenty tough for the trip.
My plan is to follow the fleet and report on what I learn and expect that there will be a continual flow of information and photos in the coming months so stand by.
Of course, you too can follow the boats using the “yellow brick” tracking app. Install it where you get your tablet or phone apps. After you download the app select the “mini-globe race” and select leg one to see where the boats are.
God speed to them all.
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