A crunchy Mini Transat with Swiss nuggets inside

Seven Swiss competitors will set off from Les Sables-d’Olonne on September 21 for the 25th edition of the La Boulangère Mini Transat. It’s a record, bringing to almost fifty the number of Helvetians to have taken part in the event since its inception.

Swiss sailors have taken part in twenty of the twenty-four editions of the Mini Transat. The seven competitors with SUI in their sails this year will make Switzerland the third most represented nation in the history of the race, behind France and Italy. Bernard Stamm, the Bourgnon brothers, Stève Ravussin, Justine Mettraux and Alan Roura have all made their mark on this transatlantic race.

A country steeped in racing history

Roderick Van Schreven (founder of the Centre d’Entraînement à la Régate and member of Fehlmann’s 1977-78 Whitbread team) set off as a pioneer in 1979 on the André Fragnière Disque d’Or-Exa design. Sixth out of 32, he was already demonstrating that Swiss racers should be taken seriously. In 1985, Olivier Besse and Claudia Langeler (the event was double-handed between 1983 and 1989) finished second aboard a Muscadet. The Coco then took over as the benchmark one-design, taking the duo of Alex Schneiter and Patrick Firmenich to second place in the 1987 series.

A record year

With this Swiss perspective in mind, the seven athletes (including one woman) registered in Swiss colors for this twenty-fifth edition represent an all-time record. There were supposed to be eight, but Martial Cuendet, who had led the arduous qualifying course, withdrew this summer for health reasons. The man from Fribourg was obviously very disappointed, but is not giving up, and intends to line up at the start of the 2027 edition. “My qualifying route is still valid. The participation of Swiss-Zimbabwean Alicia de Pfyffer, initially on the waiting list, was confirmed in mid-August. The young racer, a member of the SNG, was relieved: “I knew I was well placed on the waiting list and that I had a chance. But until it’s confirmed, there are doubts.” The formal announcement of her qualification enabled her to finalize her budget. A Yachtmaster, the sailor worked for seven years as first officer on luxury Maxis and has already crossed the Atlantic eight times, including once in a race in the Transat Paprec 2023. “My pro experience helps me a lot in my technical preparation, but not necessarily for performance. I had to work a lot with Tanguy Leglatin to get where I am.” Alicia has, in fact, had a remarkable 2024 season, finishing most of her races in the top 10, and first woman. “I’m going for the solo experience, which is a big dream, but also to get a result. If I can be first woman, and in the top ten, I’d be really happy.”

Varied objectives

Joshua Schopfer, Mathis Bourgnon and Felix Oberle (see interview on page 34) are also setting off with high ambitions. Joshua has already demonstrated his potential by winning a leg of the SAS (Les Sables – Les Açores – Les Sables) in 2024. Ranked on the podium for most of the Mediterranean races that same season, this year he was up against the Atlantic fleet, which is recognized as being of a higher standard. His fifth place in the MAP Trophy series in May, however, suggests that the young SNG talent remains a competitor to watch. Mathis Bourgnon, a member of the Amaala team like Felix Oberle (Joshua is also a member, but as a substitute), in the IMOCA class with Alan Roura, has made excellent progress over the last two seasons, crowned by a superb 2nd place in the Transgascogne in August. Yvan’s son is undoubtedly one of the frontrunners for a podium finish in the proto class. Also entered in the proto class, Benoît Alt, who finished 17th in 2023, will be racing the same boat, now equipped with foils. A hard worker, he has spent the last two years modifying and taming his Lombard design. “We had to relearn everything! As one of the six hydrofoil boats entered, and on the strength of his first experience, he’s aiming for a top 5 in the proto class. The course, essentially downwind, could prove his bold choice of load-bearing appendages right.

Determination medal

Nicolas Schmid, present in the class since 2020, has already withdrawn from the 2021 and 2023 editions, due to a lack of qualifying miles. Involved in the SAS in 2024, he was very close to hanging up his gloves: “I almost stopped, because I had achieved what I wanted with the SAS. But the plan to take part in the Plastimo Lorient mixed doubles with my 16-year-old daughter Lila gave me renewed energy. And I decided to go through with the project I’ve been carrying out for five years. I’m not aiming for a sporting feat, but to finish in good conditions while giving the best of myself.” Cyril Coulot, who was forced to give up for health reasons in 2023, has radically changed his life to devote himself to his project. The former rugby player now lives in Brittany and works for Michel Desjoyeaux. “I did my 1,000-mile qualifier and the SAS last year, and it confirmed that I love it. My aim is to have fun, and why not finish ahead of the older generation boats.” More generally, the event has 90 participants, 75% of them rookies. Fourteen women are taking part, and 30 nationalities are represented. The youngest competitor is twenty-two.