Sea, Sail & Surf newsTransat 650
Alex Bennett sails Reality to be back in the Mini
New sponsor to be announced in preparation for mini Transat
mardi 30 décembre 2003 –
One of the most charismatic and competitive single-handed ocean yachtsmen has announced that he is to resume racing and has published a two-year programme aimed at winning the Mini Transat in 2005.
27 year-old Alex Bennett, a former class winner in the Transat Jacques Vabre, is set to relaunch his new boat early next year and is due to announce a major title sponsor soon after.
The new boat, originally designed for Peter Heppel by Groupe Finot, competed in the 1999 Mini Transat as "Reality" finishing second in the Canaries to Guadeloupe leg while Bennett himself finished in overall fifth place in the same race, the best British result for 20 years.
Made of carbon and foam sandwich core and with a new carbon mast for the 2004 season, Bennett’s boat is reputed to be the one lightest and fastest minis on the circuit with the same design as, but more recently built than, the current 2003 Transat winner "Moulin Roty". It is currently being refitted in Totnes, Devon.
Torquay based, Bennett said : "Its a fantastic feeling to finally be in a position to actively plan another sailing campaign after being stuck behind a desk for the past 18 months dealing with the business side of my future yachting aspirations.
"With the early acquisition of one of the best mini Transat boats around, we are clearly demonstrating our commitment and determination to win the 2005 mini Transat race.
"I came close to a podium finish in 1999 and we won the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2001 so this time I feel I have the experience and ability to win the 2005 event. My future plans to compete in the Vendee Globe are still as alive as they ever were but for now it’s back to basics ! "
Alex Bennet intends to enter the boat, which will be renamed after his new sponsors. in the full "Mini Circuit" in 2004/5 including the Mini Fastnet and the single handed Azores race .
• 2004 programme
Race Date Type Start Via Finish
– Select 6.50 May 1st Single Handed Pornichet Ile De Yeu Pornichet
– Mini Cup May 29th Single Handed Dieppe South Coast UK Mark Douarnenez
– Mini Fastnet June 12th Double Handed Douarnenez Fastnet Rock Douarnenez
– Open Demi - Cle July Locmiquelic Wales Lorient
– Course Aux Azores Aug 7th Single Handed Douarnenez Azores Douarnenez
– Challenge Mini TBA
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