Zurich Swimmer Lisa Mamié Retires Due to Injury
Mathis Bourgnon Continues Family Legacy with Mini Transat Victory
Guadeloupe – Mathis Bourgnon, 28, etched his name into the annals of Swiss sailing history, winning the 2023 Mini transat, a grueling solo transatlantic race. His triumph, completed in 13 days, 18 hours, and 24 minutes, marks a significant moment for the Bourgnon family and Swiss competitive sailing.
Bourgnon overcame stiff competition, notably defeating pre-race favorite Benoît Marie of France. The Mini Transat, established in 1977, challenges sailors to cross the Atlantic alone and without assistance, testing their endurance, navigation skills, and seamanship.
A Family Affair
Bourgnon’s victory is especially poignant as he follows in the footsteps of his father, Yvan Bourgnon, who won the same race three decades prior. This makes Mathis the second Swiss sailor to claim the Mini Transat title.The family’s connection to the race runs even deeper; Mathis’s uncle,Laurent Bourgnon,achieved a commendable second-place finish in 1987. Tragically, Laurent was lost at sea in 2015.
“I haven’t slept for a good three days. I felt miserable,”
Mathis Bourgnon, upon arrival in Guadeloupe
bourgnon’s candid admission highlights the extreme physical and mental demands of the race. Despite the exhaustion, his determination propelled him to victory, solidifying his place among the elite of solo transatlantic sailing. the win is a testament to both his skill and the enduring legacy of the Bourgnon family in the world of ocean racing.