| Kemp Sails are supporting ‘Woody’ in his 2007 Mini-Transat campaign |
 Andrew’s sailing CV makes for particularly impressive reading – as do the accounts of his yachting experiences including being the Skipper of the first British Yacht to sail the North-West passage (over the top of Canada and Alaska, inside the Arctic Circle). Watch Andrew's Short Video (by Sprout-Media): Crossing The Void Woody’s Sailing biography: RYA Yachtmaster Ocean (commercial) Woody took his RYA ‘Offshore’ and ‘Ocean’ exams in the spring of 2004 and was later presented with the Yachtmaster of the Year award at the 2005 London Boat Show, as well sharing the Musto International Cruising (MICA) Award with his father and girlfriend. At the show James Stevens, RYA Training Manager commented: ‘He was an outstanding and truly exceptional candidate in every respect.’ Kemp Sails were very keen to work with Woody in this challenge and we look forward to showing you pictures and regular updates of Woody and the boat as he competes in the many qualifying races prior to the 2007 event. Check out the Woody’s websites: www.solochallenges.com The ‘Mini –Transat’ Race: The ‘Mini Transat’ is a highly demanding, single-handed transatlantic race using the tiny, open 6.5 metre ‘Classe Mini’ racing yachts. Founded in the late 1970’s, the race originally departed from Andrew’s home port of Penzance, but to date no British sailor has ever sailed over the finish line in 1st place. It is now hosted by France where, every two years, up to 70 solo sailors head out on the 4000 mile course to Brazil with only a brief stopover in the Canary Islands. Conditions are uncomfortable, even dangerous, sleep is almost non-existent. Combine this with the need to constantly drive the boat on night and day and you have the recipe for a very competitive challenge indeed. It is a challenge that only the best prepared can win…. LATEST UPDATE - 17th February 2006 : Woody's Proposed Race Schedule for 2006 !!! The 15th of February marks a hugely significant date in the Classe Mini calendar as the season's race inscriptions are opened. Every potential 2006 'Miniist' (myself included) will have been frantically running around today collating the necessary entry forms, IBAN codes and race committee addresses in order to ensure an entry in at least one of the 2006 races. The ever increasing popularity of this class makes reaching the start line almost as exciting as the race itself. I rang one of the event organisers at 10am this morning (sixty whole minutes after the opening), only to learn that 55 entrants had already made successful applications to a race that can only take 70 starters! Applying from the UK serves only to complicate matters further, as it is necessary to get the entry forms to France (sometimes post is the only accepted method); transfer British pounds to Euros and ensure everything ends up at the right place in time - no mean task! Nevertheless, I've done all I can for the moment and must now sit back and bite the nails of my crossed fingers, willing the trusty postal service to take care of my race plans for the next year... Arghh! Now winging their way to France as I type are entries to the following official races.... 29 April - 4 May : Pornichet Select 6,50. 300 miles single handed 26 - 28 May : Trophée Marie-Agnès Peron. 200 miles single handed 3 - 10 June : Mini-Fastnet. 700 miles double handed 25 June - 7 July : Open Demi-Clé. 900 miles double handed 30 July - 27 August : Les Sables d'Olonne - Les Açores - Les Sables d'Olonne. 2600 miles single handed Wish me luck! |
