Three Russians have announced their plans to take part in the famous 6.5-metre Mini-Transat 2019 singles regatta.
The ideologist of democratic sailing competitions for Russian-speaking yachtsmen Yachting Rus Cup Peter Lezhnin, founder of 60N Sailing Expeditions Club Fedor Druzhinin and 2017 yachtswoman Irina Gracheva have launched campaigns to attract the public and sponsors.
«Mini-Transat for me is a dream for which I went abroad in 1999 to earn money for a boat and participation - writes Fedor Druzhinin. - When I found out that my friend Pyotr Lezhnin was preparing to take part in the race, I understood that I should stop dreaming - it was time to act. When I found out that Irina Gracheva is also actively working on her project, it finally became clear that we need to step on the gas. The three of us will definitely have more fun! Le troika russe, with bells on».
If all three manage to get ready on time and pass the mandatory qualifying, Russia will have such a large representation in the race, which is still one third of French.
So far only one our compatriot has completed the Mini-Transat - Yuri Firsov. Funds for participation in the race he has partially collected through crowdfunding.
Current potential participants hope that they will not have to turn to crowdfunding. They all use personal savings and sponsorships, but no one has a title sponsor yet.
Not everything is clear in terms of matches. Fedor Druzhinin plans to participate in Mini-Transat on Samuel Manuard plan. The contact for this boat has been signed only in words so far.
Irina Gracheva who recently set the record of Atlantic crossing in crew duo, dreams to sail on Pogo 3. Peter Lezhnin is so far the only one from «Le troika russe», who has a boat - it's a production RG 650, on which Yuri Firsov participated in Mini-Transat in 2015. Lezhnin began running the boat earlier this year and plans to resume training on her in Guadeloupe soon.
You may follow the yachtsmen's preparation for Mini-Transat by following the specially created pages on Facebook: page of Fedor Druzhinin, page of Irina Gracheva. Peter Lezhnin will present his project later this month.
