Sceond part of the interview with Capt. Jarek Kaczorowski before the start:

14 September 2007

How do you feel before the start?

I can't wait to begin. This whole havoc on the land is a bit tiring. Every day there are obligatory meetings with the jury commission, conferences and an introduction of the competitors.

What can you say about your competitors?

They are very good sailors, experienced in sea regattas. I know most of them. The this year's competition is very strong. There are 89 boats, 30 of which had taken part in Transat before.

Are your Slovenian friends better prepared for the race?

This is the second time Kristian and Andraz will take part in the regatta. 2 years ago they qualified very well as for beginners. Andraz was 13 th and Kristian 19 th . There are two of them, they have the same boats, they prepare for the race together. Therefore they can compare technical arrangements and decide which sails, rudders and ballasts will be the best. I hope that there will be soon more Mini boats in Poland and that we will be able to practice together.

How did you prepare your boat for such a long cruise?

We changed the boat with Marek in many ways. I have a new mast that weighs 20 kg less, as a result of which the whole boat is lighter. Marek prepared the bottom of the sailboat, I have new sails, all ropes and hawsers have been replaced, as well as ferrules and jammers. New yokes, rudders and drop keels have been installed. I hope for the worse weather conditions, because only then I can compete with the best. Given the shape and weight of my boat when a light wind blows my sailboat is slower than most prototype and serial yachts.

What about the safety during the regatta?

First of all the Life-line. This is a line, which I connect myself to as soon as I get on board. Secondly, the life vest, which will blast off when I fall into water. This time I have a better life vest, which should not react after simply getting wet. I remember being soaked with water on the Azores regatta after a wave hit me and the vest locked me unnecessarily. It took me some time to release myself from it and of course - I did not have a spare one. I will not take off the life vest during the whole race. Moreover, every competitor has an ARGOS device on their boat, which sends their position 4 times a day. It has a green, yellow and red button.

Pressing the green button means that you have swerved off course, but you will manage on your own. The yellow button is for medical help. The red one means you need help. Pressing it sets an end to the race for the sailor. A rescue team is then sent to the sailboat. If the yacht is located up to 400km off shore, helicopters are used. In case of further-flung locations the nearest ship is called for help.

Additionally, during the first leg in the Bay of Biskay we will be escorted by two vessels of the French naval forces. What else? I have two radiobuoys EPIRB. On is bigger and operates on the frequency 406 Mhz - which frequency is received by the satellite MRCC ( Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) and the frequency 121,5 Mhz. I keep the smaller one in the pocket of my raincoat. I take a first aid kit, including different medicines - against eye- and ear-diseases and ulcers etc. and many antibiotics. Furthermore I have a book how to survive and needles and threads for treating wounds. I had a training how to sew wounds. I also have a lifeboat and a TPS (Thermo Protection System) suit. I underwent several courses on nautical rescue.

Good luck!

Interview by Olga and Karolina Doan