An engineering student at the École des Mines, Antoine Canivet has taken on an incredible challenge: to compete in the 2025 Mini Transat for ELA!
A navigator with a big heart
A sailor since the age of 8, Antoine became a sailing instructor and skipper, sharing his passion with younger generations. By combining his personal challenge with our cause, he embodies the values of courage, determination and solidarity. His race is much more than a sporting adventure: it is a human journey, bringing hope and support to those in need.
The Mini Transat
This 7,500 km solo transatlantic race is reserved for the Mini class. It takes place every two years.
To compete in the Mini category, sailors must comply with certain rules, such as:
• having a sailboat that is 6.50 m long and 3 m wide maximum,
• not having electronic navigation equipment,
• not having any means of communication with the mainland (except for a GPS beacon in case of distress).
Intense preparation
The Mini Transat is a pure adventure where each skipper must rely on themselves, their boat and their instincts. To take on this incredible challenge, Antoine has been preparing since January 2024!
This preparation is:
• physical, as he frequently has to move equipment weighing up to several dozen kilos,
• mental, as he must endure fatigue, weather conditions and solitude aboard his sailboat,
• technical, as he must know his boat inside out and be ready to repair any breakages or malfunctions,
• meteorological, as he must understand weather systems and patterns in order to anticipate changes in the weather without electronic assistance.
In a Mini sailboat, every square centimetre counts. The cabin is organised to accommodate the necessary comfort equipment throughout the race: bunk, stove, toilet, etc. For his meals, Antoine uses food portions rehydrated with hot water. To be able to react quickly at any time of the day or night and avoid accidents, he sleeps in 30-minute sessions, interspersed with routine checks.
Antoine meets students and families
On 5 and 6 June, Antoine stopped off for two days at the Port de Javel on the banks of the Seine to present his boat and the Mini Transat adventure.
As part of the “Wear your trainers and beat the disease” campaign, 80 pupils from the Jean Jaurès school in Juvisy-sur-Orge (91), the Paul Langevin school in Bagnolet (93), the Voltaire school in Paris (75) and the Blaise Pascal vocational school in Villemomble (93) accepted Antoine’s invitation. The curious youngsters discovered daily life at sea, the challenges encountered and the technology on board. Discussions with the sailor gave them a glimpse of different aspects of sailing, from meteorology to astronomy, mechanics and survival at sea.
In a cheerful atmosphere, the students learned how to tie nautical knots and competed in tug-of-war matches. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss ELA’s missions, raise awareness of leukodystrophies and promote solidarity.
Before the Mini Transat sets sail on Sunday 21 September from Les Sables d’Olonne (85), Antoine is exhibiting his boat at the Mini Transat Village.
The 5E and 5B classes from Collège Pierre Mauger took advantage of this opportunity to meet him, talk to him about his experiences and his adventure, and make origami boats in the colours of ELA.
Antoine also met Sigrid and Hugo, with leukodystrophy, and their families!
Antoine will set sail in the Mini Transat this Sunday, 21 September, weather permitting.
We wish him all the best for his adventure and will be following his progress with great interest!