Northern Exposure completes 1,000 mile qualifer

News from Nick Bubb's Mini campaign

After being delayed by southeasterly strong wind warnings etc time was a big issue in order to return in time to make the ferry over to France on 28th March for the Odyssey race. Fortunately I did it with a day to spare in the end!

I left on 17 March at 1600 from Mylor Yacht Harbour still in strong southeasterlies but that was the last day they were forecast for, but it meant an awesome ride up into the Irish Sea to the Conning Beg lightship, just off Waterford.

We had a few days of light, very foggy conditions especially off the Scilly Isles and Ushant.

Finally the breeze picked up from the east giving me a very tight reach all way down to the waypoints off La Rochelle. We had one really manic eveing in 35+ knots under three reefs with no jib etc. The boat took a full on pounding but it was a good test for both it and me! After a light airs reach back again to Falmouth we got in at 0230 Wednesday morning.

In general I had no probs. I didn’t use the one stop which you are allowed, but it took eight days - this was as it was fine faster than the last qualifier I did. The weather was very warm during the days but with no clouds it was absolutely freezing at night! As I said - the wind was variable!!

I'm now off to Antibes for first race, L’Odyssee d’Ulysees. This starts on 6th April and goes to Tunisia (one stop) and then back to Antibes via Corsica.

For all races in the Med the boat will be called Northern Exposure. The races in the Med are doublehanded and I am sailing with Olly Ballam, a friend from Woodbridge who has been working on the build and general preparation and will be around all season to help ensure the boat is totally sorted. I willl sail with Olly for the Odyssey and the Roma par Due before returning to UK in mid-May to check everything, tweak a few things etc and prepare for the Mini Fastet in mid-June. This is another doublehanded race, which I am sailing with John Parker of Quantum Sails.