Jaroslaw Kaczorowski - the first Polish entry in the Mini Transat for 30 years 14/9/07
I may be 30 years since Poland last entered the Mini Transat (Transat 6,50 Charente-Maritime/Bahia) but a second place in the inaugural in 1977 race put Polish sailor K. Jaworski firmly in the history book. Now 30 years on, Jaroslaw Kaczorowski sailing a 2003 David Reard designAllianz Plis hoping to make history once again.
Kaczorowski who was watch captain aboard the maxi-catWarta-Polpharmain The Race in 2000 made the transition into the Mini soon after that race. He said that while he was racing round the world he was so impressed with the beauty of the Atlantic he wanted to race a regatta there.
Singlehanded being the only real option he made the decision to join the Mini Class and look for a sponsor. Commenting, Kaczorowski said: “I spent two years looking for the money then suddenly everything started to fall into place. Allianz are now my main sponsor and the rest of my sponsors are from the same financial group.”
Interestingly Kaczorowski’s boat is the only Mini boat in Poland so training has proved fairly tough. Thanks to his major sponsorship however, he has been able to head to France and race as much as possible on the circuit. “I think my best result leading up to this race, this year was the Demi Clé where I finished 18th,” added Kaczorowski. “But I have to say I really enjoy it when It’s blowing really hard. Since the Demi Clé I’ve made a few modifications including replacing the mast with a lighter one which has taken 20kgs off, and I’ve taken 60kgs off the bulb. An interesting, and unique thing about this boat is the cuddy/hood which is a very useful area for taking short naps. It keeps most of the spray and sun off and it means I don’t need to go below to sleep, I can stay on deck!”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s start and tactics for the first few days Kaczorowski concluded: “I think during the first day of the race in the predicted light airs it will be very important to manage sleep, reserve energy for the second day when big winds are expected to arrive. Here it will be a matter of going as far as possible without sleeping.”