I invite you to the film and to read information about my qualifying course for the Mini TRANSAT 2019 regatta
Qualifying for the Mini Transat regatta requires a trip of 1,500 miles in mini class regatta and one qualifying trip with a length of 1,000 miles solitary route determined by the mini class. I finished the racing season with the completion of the Fastnet regatta. To obtain qualifications I had to make a qualifying trip. The route led from Douarnenez in Britain via the English Channel to the first Conninberg turning buoy (52 ° 02,4 ’N – 6 ° 39,5’ W) off the south-east coast of Ireland. After circumnavigating it, the route assumes a return to France of the central coast of the Bay of Biscay, again overcoming the English channel and bypassing the Rochebonne buoy 46 ° 10 ’N – 2 ° 27’ W. Another turning point was the island of Re, which lies next to the capital of world sailing La Rochelle. Then a long straight to the port of departure, Douarnenez. I began my qualifying flight on 6/29/2019 at 1710 LT and ended on 06.07. at 2313 LT. I sailed 1078 miles in moderate weather, up to 25 knt TWS. I stood for 23 hours without wind
I planned my start date well, which was dictated by the weather on the waters I will sail on. I have waited four or five days for the right weather conditions. I waited so many days because strong north winds were raging on the English Channel and the Irish Sea. For me it was unacceptable, because from French Brittany I was heading to Ireland, hooking England. I didn’t want to tack to the strong wind and make a billion returns, so I waited a few days.
Before departure, I prepared a good supply, bought the right amount of water and food, of course freeze-dried, to make the ship lighter. In addition, I took some fruit and chocolate with me. I also prepared coffee for cold nights. I secured the stove with gas and a few lighters to make sure that I always turn on the stove. I checked all the ropes on board and on the mast, I also checked the rigging so as not to lose the mast. I cleaned and lubricated the winches and replaced the cleats. I prepared sails, reef points on the grotto and my favorite big Code Zero for light winds.
Before departure, I prepared a good supply, bought the right amount of water and food, of course freeze-dried, to make the ship lighter. In addition, I took some fruit and chocolate with me. I also prepared coffee for cold nights. I secured the stove with gas and a few lighters to make sure that I always turn on the stove. I checked all the ropes on board and on the mast, I also checked the rigging so as not to lose the mast. I cleaned and lubricated the winches and replaced the cleats. I prepared sails, reef points on the grotto and my favorite big Code Zero for light winds.
I conducted navigation on maps using GPS and a sextant. Classe Mini requires that the player be able to navigate classically using the sun and celestial bodies. It is not a simple matter on such a small yacht but it is necessary to complete the qualifying course. It’s good that I was on an astronomy course in March. Krystian Szypka from Ocean Team Saling School conducts astronavigation workshops. For 3 days I learned how to calculate my position using a sextant. Even before departure, I prepared the necessary maps of France, England and Ireland and prepared a yacht logbook. The time of departure was dictated by the currents appearing on the Dufour channel at the entrance to Brest. There are very “wild” currents and water swirls, so I preferred to be there when the current was the weakest and would start pushing me towards Ireland.
We started together with several friends – 960 – 888 and several other yachts whose numbers I don’t remember. I was surprised myself because I wasn’t nervous, I wasn’t stressing, I was very calm and calm. I don’t know what it resulted from, but I really liked this state of mind.
I worked thoroughly on the cruise and did not push the yacht. I put such sails to make sailing comfortable. With the rest of the weather was very friendly. The wind did not exceed 25 knt. And only in 20% of the route I sailed against the wind, the rest of the courses were more optimal. I saw many dolphins and seals, even whales. A huge amount of grass got under my hull, which was a nuisance, because the yacht was slowing down and I had to clean the rudder fins and side swords.
I worked thoroughly on the cruise and did not push the yacht. I put such sails to make sailing comfortable. With the rest of the weather was very friendly. The wind did not exceed 25 knt. And only in 20% of the route I sailed against the wind, the rest of the courses were more optimal. I saw many dolphins and seals, even whales. A huge amount of grass got under my hull, which was a nuisance, because the yacht was slowing down and I had to clean the rudder fins and side swords.
I was healthy throughout the whole cruise, I didn’t have any illnesses, aches or pains. The only, though big problem, was the cut skin on my two fingers. When working on ropes, selecting and loosening sails or raising additional sails caused me great pain. Of course, I had my first aid kit with me, which is supplemented in accordance with the guidelines for category “A” races, so I used several of its elements and dressings.
I eat for two at sea! There are many things to do on land by yacht, by car, by yourself, but nutrition is very important at sea. I ate for two! Even two lunches a day. This showed me how important proper vitamin supplementation is – fruits, vegetables and main meals. At Mini Transat I will take much more food than I expected and less sweets. Sweets are not good for me when I sail. I drank a lot of water 2-3 liters a day, which allowed to cleanse my body. At the end of the cruise, I had to save water because I used up a lot more than I had planned. The cruise lasted two days longer than expected, because I was standing without wind for about 23 hours
When navigating and observing, fishing boats were a big problem. The French are ignorant! Absolutely no French fisherman answered me on the radio when I asked for it. No French fisherman can say a word in English – it’s a shame for this country and the people of the sea! In this situation, I had to watch my course so as not to be run over by the cutter, despite AIS turned on. Imagine that, even in zones excluded from anchoring and fishing, cutters nets trawled. My naps are usually 20 minutes of sleep. I couldn’t sleep any more because I was worried about the course and setting of the sails. So I went out on board and controlled the ship every 20 minutes. I didn’t even need an alarm clock.
I have a great yacht! I was proud of how fast and efficiently sailing, Nothing broke on the yacht! All ropes worked properly and the year of preparation confirmed the good positioning of the return blocks and the good routing of the ropes. The new mast set-up has proven itself perfectly. The yacht stopped taking me to the squalls and began to gently let me know that I would relax the sails or react. We have created a harmonious duo with my ship J Long live POL 961, health!
The only defect was a damaged anemometer – it came from the shaft. Still in France, I informed Tomek Jankowski of ELJACHT about my adventure. Tomek immediately ordered a new part for me as part of the warranty and 5 minutes after arriving at the Gdańsk Shipyard Yacht Club appeared and mounted it on the mast. This is just the service!
During the cruise there were moments without wind. In total about 23 hours of windless weather. The worst moments were at La Rochelle and at Douarnenez. I stood there very long waiting for the wind. On one hand, I rested and slept well, but on the other hand I’d rather be in port earlier to prepare the ship to return to Poland.
My only fear of the cruise was the way of life on the yacht. It turned out to be groundless, because I was doing great in this space. Of course, I had arranged everything beforehand and prepared places for the elements I needed, binoculars, glasses, toilet paper, flashlights, maps – everything has its place, which made my life easier on board. It’s like home cabinets and shelves, but on a small ship
I regret that I took my cell phone with me. On class regatta its use is prohibited and it gives a lot of peace, but on qualifying flight I can have it. Nothing irritated me so much as subconsciously waiting for the range of telephony at the shore to check facebook, call the girl and send photos. It was a hard job. One plus of using a telephone is that you can check the weather and optimize your navigation route. But now I know that it was bad for me the second time I would not take my phone.
I became acquainted with my ship. I sailed nearly 1100 miles on it and it was the culmination of life and sailing in France. I knew this was the last step to qualify for the mini Transat regatta. Then it remains to return to Poland and the preparation and service of the yacht. These were the last moments, sailing 961 in the waters of the Bay of Biscay before the main race MT2019 and my farewell to the racing season. I managed the interior of the yacht very well, the ropes in the cockpit are well arranged, I did everything myself and this ship is tailor made – just like a good suit. All that remains for me is training and extracting more power from it to get higher places
A 1000 mile cruise was a great adventure, a good test and, above all, a great opportunity to gain sailing experience! I am glad that such a requirement was set by the mini class, I needed it very much and showed me how to live and sail on a mini at the same time.
After completing the qualifying voyage, as the fourth Pole since 1977, I qualified for the Mini TRANSAT regatta. I have come so far thanks to the support of many people and companies. However, two two excellent Polish sailors have been with me since the beginning of this undertaking – they are Bartek Czarciński and Radek Kowalczyk
Thank you for supporting my partners:
- H+H Polska
- Miasto GDAŃSK
- Contender Sailcloth
- Marine Works – Comfort on Board
- Navinord Marine Electronics
- Robert Lindemann KG
It is thanks to their support that I can implement this undertaking
You can still join the group of these wonderful people and partners, creating with me this unique and extremely difficult undertaking to start in one of the most important professional races of the global sailing Mini Transat 2019. Please contact me.
