Bubb - eighth in Mini Fastnet

British Mini sailor Nick Bubb gives his comments on the two handed race he finished yesterday

Having won the 80-boat prologue race, Bubb and Parker continued there good run with another fast start in the light airs off Douarnenez on Sunday. Kenmore/JMST broke free of the pack to round the first mark placed in the top five.

Nick commented: "It was another awesome start for us and getting the tidal gate before the breeze shut off was crucial - the first five boats had a big lead on the rest of the fleet.
"We had a quick crossing to Wolf Rock and rounded in third place on Monday morning. It was probably too quick though as the weather was not what we were expecting at all! Instead of a one-tack beat to the Fastnet Rock we had the kite up in ten knots of breeze from the North-East! You just have to go with it: there is no real weather info on the Mini.
"We were in good shape fighting it out with the leading group of five and then bang - all of us sailed into a four-hour wind hole in the Irish Sea. We were stuck in the middle of the transition zone as the new wind established itself from the South-West. We ended up too far north. The rest of the fleet had stayed further South and our lead over them vanished in an instant. They just sailed right round us! While we struggled upwind to the rock, they were close reaching in from all over the place. There were boats everywhere!

"After we rounded Fastnet (in 17th!) the wind was up to 25 knots from the West with most boats wiping out under full main and jib. We decided to go all out in a bid to regain some places. We put the fractional Code Zero up and took a reef in the main. It was more sail area, but the balance was better. We had some damage taking the reef though: the kite pole flicked back onto a stanchion punching a hole through the deck. Downstairs quickly turned into a swimming pool!

"It was full on for twelve hours passing boat after boat. The breeze eased off at the end and we got the kite up to squeeze past another two boats.

"I am chuffed with the result to be honest. All the top guys in the class were competing and without that hole in the breeze who knows. I am very pleased with how we dealt with the situation and with producing another consistent result in the top ten."

Results:

1. 7h38 (433) Port Camargue Manuard - Cano
2. 8h35 (265) All Mer Duthil - Bourdais
3. 11h28 (260) Echo-Sea Mérigeau - Parnaudeau
4. 12h29 (304) Sojasun Duval - Sechet
5. 14h25 (348) Netcarrier Caldwel - Coutant
6. 15h00 (426) Pogo 2 Tymen - Taboré
7. 15h04 (339) Vector More Claquin - Vourch
8. 15h14 (419) KENMORE/JMST Bubb - Parker
9. 15h19 (312) ASNQ Doin - Pluart
10. 15h22 (347) Line of O Rolland - Lemasson