Where in the world?

By Dermot Tynan, about 11 years ago.

So, the truth is, Iles des Saintes, just south of Guadeloupe, is one of my favourite places in the world. It was definitely a case of "love at first sight." If the Microtransat is an excuse for me to travel back there, and spend a little more time in Guadeloupe, then it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

The islands, like Guadeloupe, are a "French protectorate." While many of the islands in the Caribbean are associated with one or other European country, the French islands are different. You can think of them as extensions to the mainland. The language is French (of course), the currency is the Euro, and the local flag is the Tricolore. If you're a European citizen, you can live and work here. That's way too tempting...

  • February 20, 2013
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Why Antigua...?

By Dermot Tynan, about 11 years ago.

A first pass over the route and the finish line suggests Antigua could be a good destination. We last visited in 2009 and this is as good an excuse as any, to go back.

The finish line is from latitude 10 degrees to latitude 25 degrees North, which is all of 900nm long. However, according to the rules, we must declare a 50km (27nm) segment of that finish line. Although the finish line is pointing True North, when you consider the race is from Northern Europe, that means that the line is heavily biased towards the starboard end. The Northern tip, in other words. Finishing on this end of the line shortens the final leg.

  • February 24, 2013
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