Les Sables – Les Açores – Les Sables
The Les Sables - Les Açores - Les Sables is a regatta for single-handed sailors that runs in two stages from Les Sables-d'Olonne in France to Horta on the Azores island of Faial and back.
The event was launched in 2006 and has taken place every two years since then. Eligible to start are monohulls of the Mini 6.50 class , whose class association is the Mini class . The regatta is next to the Transat 650 the most important regatta of the Mini class.
In 2008 the race started on July 26th with 49 participants. Only 26 participants reached the goal in the first stage. Only 22 participants were able to finish the second stage with a finish.
Course and rules
The first stage of the race starts at Les Sables-d'Olonne in France. The destination is Horta on the Azores island of Faial. The second stage starts after a few days in Horta with the destination Les Sables-d'Olonne.
The participants must sail 1,270 nautical miles non-stop per stage without using outside help. It is possible to make a land stop in the event of technical difficulties. The duration of the repair must not exceed 36 hours.
The specified points that have to be passed are:
- Start in front of Les Sables-d'Olonne
- Finish line at the port entrance of Horta
- Start in front of Horta
- Finish line in front of the port entrance of Les Sables-d'Olonne
Rating
The Les Sables - Les Açores - Les Sables are rated in the two categories "prototypes" and "series production".