An Intense Battle: The Longest Mini Transat Ever Run

The 2013 edition is the longest Mini Transat ever run  since its creation in 1977, as the initial two-stage route from Douarnenez was ultimately changed to a single stage: Sada (La Coruña, Spain) to Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe). This involved 3,600 nautical miles in one go, a solo race without assistance, communication, or mandatory stops, on 6.5-meter sailboats offering only the most basic comforts.

Benoit and his rival, the Italian skipper Giancarlo Pedote (sailing the former Team Work Prysmian), engaged in an incredible battle of back-and-forth across the Atlantic. The chase between the two skippers began at the Lanzarote gate, four days into the race, and lasted 14 days. Throughout the crossing, the two remained at the head of the fleet, steadily increasing their lead over their pursuers to ultimately finish with a 200-mile advantage.

It was ultimately the final night that separated the two skippers, as Benoit managed to catch up with his rival and then overtake him just a few nautical miles from the finish line. Only a few miles separated the two men, over a race time of 18 days and 13 hours, representing a difference of approximately 0.2%! Organizers noted that a technical issue encountered by Giancarlo could explain his speed deficit in the final hours.

BM’s First Impressions: “I Still Can’t Believe It”

Crossing the finish line as the winner is always a magical moment—a feeling of release and the joy of having achieved the ultimate goal. For Benoit Marie, this moment was a complete surprise:

“I didn’t know I was in first place two hours ago; I found out in the bay of Pointe-à-Pitre when the first boat came to meet me. It was **incredible! I still can’t believe it**. This race is magical, the result is amazing. I’m happy with my performance; I never gave up. It’s sheer willpower that finally pays off. I’ve been waiting for this for so long. Freud said, ‘Happiness is a childhood dream fulfilled in adulthood.’ I’m an adult now (laughs)!”

 

An Intense Race: Technical Challenges and Tenacity

Benoit faced difficult moments from the very start, including a grueling delivery trip to Sada after the first leg cancellation. The subsequent single-stage race was relentless:

“The start wasn’t easy; I couldn’t afford to lose focus. I had technical problems from the very first night, especially with my rudders. They held up with a makeshift repair using ropes throughout the race, which was stressful. My mainsail came off the mast during a gybe, and I had to take it down, do some sewing, and repair the battens in the middle of the night. I did a lot of tinkering. I almost had to stop. Then I took the time to do things one by one and eased off the gas to avoid breaking anything.”

“I tried to sail like a good sailor. I had to take care of the boat, I looked after it like a brother… It was also important to maintain a human pace, to take the time to eat, to wash so as not to stay in an animal rhythm. The race was intense, there were few moments of respite. I was determined not to give up, I think that’s what made the difference.”

Moments of Happiness

“I savored every minute of this race. I sailed 3,697 miles downwind, only sailing upwind to get out of Sada. It was absolutely exhilarating (laughs). I saw turtles, dolphins, surfed at 20 knots, and sailed on a tightrope for 18 days. The finish line was an extraordinary moment! Thank you to everyone who worked on this project. Without my partners, my family, and the Absolute Dreamer team, I wouldn’t be here. Thank you all! This is a team success.”

Letter from JP Dick to Benoit Marie: “A Unique Moment”

Jean Pierre Dick, of the Absolute Dreamer offshore racing team, offered his congratulations to the young engineer, who had previously been part of the JP54 design team in New Zealand:

“A moment that defines a man! Your first major victory in a prestigious race. Well done, Benoit, we are so proud of you for this solo Mini Transat, full of panache. You knew how to wait for your moment to launch this victorious attack and preserve your equipment to be able to push even harder on this final day of racing. Your tenacity and patience were evident during the storms and delayed starts – nearly two months of a saga that tested the nerves of many – A true champion!”

“Now reality has surpassed the wildest dream we shared on the New Zealand grass during breaks from the construction site. You’ve simply won the race like a pro, without any inhibitions… So you truly are an ‘Absolute Dreamer’; someone who knows that the power of dreams can multiply their energy tenfold and that even something that seems unattainable is actually achievable through sheer determination!”

— Jean Pierre Dick (and all members of the Absolute Dreamer offshore racing team)

 

The Road to Victory: Background and Preparation

“Since the start of the 1999 Mini Transat, I’ve had nothing but the Mini Transat on my mind.” For 14 years, Benoit had dreamed of the race. With extensive experience as a competitive sailor in dinghies (Optimist, Moth Europe, Dart 18), he decided to complement his experience by diving into offshore racing (Tour de France à la Voile, IRC: Fastnet, Barquera, etc.), always with the Mini Transat project firmly in his sights.

A young Arts et Métiers engineer, he specialized in naval engineering in Auckland, New Zealand. Upon his return to France, he joined Jean-Pierre Dick’s racing team, “Absolute Dreamer,” to work on his Mini Transat project.

For a year and a half, Benoit dedicated all his time to this project: choosing and optimizing the boat, technological innovations, technical training (within the Lorient Grand Large Sailing Center), and races. A year and a half was also spent searching for technical and financial partners, without whom Benoit would not have been able to participate in this Mini Transat. He successfully managed to combine his passion for the sea and his technical engineering skills to now add his name to the legendary list of winners.

A Winning Double for the Mini 667!

Benoit’s victory in this 2013 Mini Transat allows the **Mini 667** to equal the performance of “Karen Liquide,” the only Mini to date to have won two Mini Transats. Indeed, it was in the hands of Thomas Ruyant that the prototype 667 won the 2009 edition.

The Mini: A Springboard for Offshore Racing Talent

Among the winners of previous editions are some big names in sailing: Yves Parlier, Thierry Dubois, Yvan Bourgnon (who went on to sail around the world on a beach cat),, Sébastien Magnen, Armel Tripon, Corentin Douguet, Yves Le Blevec… This victory should lead to other projects for Benoit Marie, to be continued…

Video: Relive Benoit’s Victorious Arrival

Relive Benoit’s victorious arrival in Pointe-à-Pitre through this video:

Published by Benoit, Anne-Charlotte Meyer, and Aurélie Marie – Absolute Dreamer Offshore Racing Team | 02/12/2013 | Categories: Uncategorized.

Copyright photos: J.Vapillon/ Mini Transat 2013.

Final ETA information sources (12:00 rankings): Mini Transat Website, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.