"Trophee Marie Agnes Peron"

May, 25-28 2006. Preparation & Start

Trophee Marie Agnes regatta is a very important race for Capt. Kaczorowski. It's not only the first race in which Jaro is sailing solo on a new boat, but the event is the first qualification to the Mini Transat 2007 race as well. Completing it (i.e. passing) results in having the right to take part in the AZAB (Azores AND Back) and doing about 2600 Nm of solo sailing in the AZAB means getting a good place in the rank and a promise to take part in the Mini Transat 2007 race.

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Marek Galkiewicz:

Douarnenez, France - 24 May 2006, Wednesday

After three wonderful weeks of sunny weather which we experienced during training in Slovenia and a few more in Poland, now it was time for what is usually called "my cup of tea". Brittany, Biscay, and the Land of Everlasting Rain and Bad Weather.

The weather forecast we checked before leaving for Douarnenez came true to the letter. 10 Deg. Celsius, 20-35 kt, full cloudiness, permanent rain. The journey was dragging on mercilessly (30 hours) and so did putting the equipment together. Fortunately, while launching the boat and setting the mast it stopped raining for a while, which improved our mood a bit. When we reached the marina in Douarnenez, our Slovenian friends - Adria Mobil Team, Krystian (SLO 509) and Andraz (SOL 510) - had already been waiting for us. Although they weren't taking part in the MAP regatta, they came earlier to train before the Mini Fastnet race starting in about a week's time (in which we're taking part as well).

Thanks to the boys (and their camper van), during the first stormy days we found shelter from the rain and wind for a traditional "instant soup". It's amazing that some people buy their holiday cottages here; they must be very cheap. A team of "East Block" competitors has been joined by the Czechs on two boats racing in the serial class. So be aware, French! - "Russians Are Coming" (it's the way they call us here).

The MAP is an important regatta for us. It's not only the first race in which Jaro is sailing solo on a new boat, but the event is the first qualification to the Mini Transat 2007 race as well. Completing it (i.e. passing) results in having the right to take part in the AZAB (Azores AND Back) and doing about 2600 Nm of solo sailing in the AZAB means getting a good place in the rank and a promise to take part in the Mini Transat 2007 race. That's why we won't treat it very ambitiously. All that really counts is completing it and testing our equipment and the so called "human factor". The success will come in due time.

Douarnenez, France - 26 May 2006, Friday

The "Trophee Marie Agnes Peron" regatta is in progress on the difficult waters of Biscay Bay. The Polish capt. Jarosław Kaczorowski aboard the "Allianz.pl" boat is taking part. Over 60 Mini650 yachts from 14 countries are racing in the regatta in two categories (serial and prototype). The "Trophee Marie Agnes Peron" is the first qualification to the next year start in the transatlantic race of solo sailors from France to Mini Transat.
The race route, which has over 200 Nm, leads from the Brittany port of Douarnenez around Cape Cap Caval south-east of Birvideaux and then back to Douarnenez. On their way, solo sailors have to struggle with difficult weather conditions, a strong current as well as 6-meter tides, difficult navigation between sandbanks and small islands, fog, lack of sleep, fishing boats suddenly looming up from the darkness along with another few adversities, which make sailing not an easy thing to do.

The "Trophee Marie Agnes Peron" regatta the first start on Mini650 yacht for capt. Jarosław Kaczorowski. What is more, it's the most important race in the season since completing it gives the right to take part in the AZAB regatta - from France to Azores, which when completed, guarantees the right to start in Mini Transat. Thus, the tactics adopted in the race is reflected in the words: "To finish First, first you have to Finish". The first thing to do is to finish the regatta, the result comes second.

During the regatta capt. Kaczorowski will not only race, he will also test new equipment and deck electronics, check the right alignment of sails, keel and water ballast, and more importantly, engaging the autohelm - an essential device during ocean sailing.

The "Trophee Marie Agnes Peron" regatta takes place for the first time. It is a warm-up before the 700-mile Mini Fastnet race, which takes place in a week and starts in Douarnenez as well.

The latest news:
During the first night at sea two boats crashed into rocks. Their equipment was damaged but fortunately the crew was salvaged. Didier Le-Vourc'h on Vecteur - Plus is in the leading positon, Jaroław Kaczorowski being ranked 46 (results from 9:24, 26/05/2006). More information can be found on the website of Winches-Club (www.winchesclub.com), the organizer.

Marek Gałkiewicz

Translated by Anna Greczuk

See also:
"Trophee Marie Agnes Peron" (part 2)