A group of six Class Globe 5.80 home-built plywood Minis are making history with the first-ever single-handed Globe 5.80 Transat Race setting off at noon yesterday from Lagos Portugal. They are bound for Rubicon Marina in Lanzarote in the Canaries before heading to Antigua in the Caribbean 3,600 miles away.

Only four of the six entrants made the start on time. Race Founder Don McIntyre's TREKKA is now due to start on Wednesday 3rd two days late. His final preparation was interrupted by running the event.

Irishman Jim Schofield arrived at 4 am on start day after a 16-hour drive off the UK Ferry with 'Molly Claire" in tow. He has only just finished building the boat! He must now launch and rig the yacht, set up safety gear and fresh food. He may not set off till Saturday five days late. The six yachts will regroup in Lanzarote before setting off on the main race across the Atlantic on Nov. 18th.

Jim Schofield's Class Globe 5.80 Molly Claire from Ireland

It had been a hectic week for all entrants with last-minute preparations, including One design Class registration, Mast pull-down stability checks, safety inspections and briefings, plus a few hardy parties!

As a steady NW breeze powered 10 to 14 knots, the grey clouds disappeared sending skippers and spectator boats into the starting sequence of this 600 nm qualifier under a gorgeous sun and the dramatic backdrop of the Ponta de Piedade cliffs off Lagos.

It's the second Irish mini to set out across the Atlantic this November with Galway sailmaker Yannick Lemonnier lying 12th in the Mini Transat race.

Irish solo sailing fans may be interested in the annual Solo Racing Festival at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble on Saturday 12th March.

Given the Figaro race is coming to Dun Laoghaire in August a talk on the Artemis Academy with John Thorn (Figaro 2) will be of particular interest.

Owen Clarke's designer Merfyn Owen, who lives in Hamble will be attending as well as colleagues from their brokerage partners Boatshed Performance.

So whether your interest be solo sailing or short-handed sailing in general they will be there to answer questions on design, construction, as well as sale/purchase and charter of offshore performance yachts.

The Race Fair is  an open house from 10.00 for race organisers to meet and greet potential skippers from; Global Ocean/Class 40, Mocra, UK mini group, RORC, SORC, Biscay Challenge, AZAB. Floating boat show, 8 boats including the OC class 40, 2 minis, A35, J105, Figaro 2, Sunfast 3200.

There is a Book Signing, Alex Bennett signing copies of High Seas High Stakes and showing Fuji DVD Mike Golding is opening the talks at 11,00.

Followed by:

Winning Mind Set with Ian Brown, sports psychologist
Global Ocean race with Oliver Dewar
Two Star/Ostar with John Lewis, RWYC
30m trimaran design with Nigel Irens (Idec, Sodebo)
Artemis Academy first term report with John Thorn (Figaro 2)
Route du Rhum with Marco Nannini, (class 40)
all in the spendid riverside setting of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble.

More HERE.