Mini Transat 2013 is coming: follow Giancarlo Pedote and Federico Cuciuc

There are only few days left to the start of the Mini Transat 2013: a single-handed race of high complexity, which takes place every two years and covers a distance of 4200 miles with only one intermediate stop.

A competition that stands out from the others for the commitment required -both physically and mentally- from participants, for the total lack of comfort and the possibility to communicate only with the organizing committee. In this race there is only one boat allowed: the Miniclasse 6.50, an extremely small yacht that includes two categories: “prototype” and “production”. The "prototype" division gives more possibilities in the field of design and choice of materials, representing a fertile ground for innovative solutions testing. Production boats, instead, use approved designs and comparatively conservative materials thus giving greater prominence to navigators capabilities. This year, Mini Transat will start on October 13 in Douarnenez, France, there will be a stop in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, and it will end in Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe.

Among the participants there are also Federico Cuciuc and Giancarlo Pedote, two navigators who chose Solbian panels for their yachts. On one hand Your Sail ITA556 of the Smart Ocean Racing skipper, Cuciuc, on the other, Pedote’s Prysmian ITA 747. The latter has dedicated the month of August to the development of his own boat, carrying out the necessary checks and inspections in addition to the maintenance of mechanical parts and electronic equipment. At the same time Pedote has resumed his training, devoting the last period before the race to study the weather patterns he is likely to meet towards the Canary Islands and the Antilles. Cuciuc also had the opportunity to focus on physical training along with his instructors and to take stock of the situation in terms of mental training, nutrition and management of biorhythms, all aspects of primary importance when he will face the sea alone on board of the ITA556. The Roman sailor left a month in advance for Brittany to make the ultimate changes and adaptations and to wait for the start of the most solitary of all races: the Mini Transat.