Mini Transat 2015: Katrina Ham returns to solo racing in Trophee MAP
by Audrey Knight 11 Jun 2014 10:49 BST
11 June 2014
Katrina Ham during the double-handed ArMen race © Katrina Ham
The Classe Mini season continues for 26-year-old Australian skipper Katrina Ham as she takes part in the Trophee MAP race starting from Douarnenez, France on 12 June 2014. This is Katrina's third race of the year, and she will compete single-handed, over 200 nautical miles with around 40 other Classe Mini yachts.
Two weeks ago, Katrina took part in the double-handed ArMen race, with French co-skipper Antoine Roisne. She said, "The race was great fun, although the weather was frustrating. We had to contend with a lack of wind and strong tides at several points."
Almost 200 boats, of all sizes, took part in the ArMen race, and Katrina had a close up of the largest: She added, "At one point, we made our way upwind in Passage de La Trignouse as the 70' rockstar multihulls came through. Watching them dodge all the other boats is quite impressive!"
Katrina has been learning French and spending three days with a non-English speaking French skipper posed its own challenges: "It was great to be thrown in at the deep end with French, and while it was sometimes frustrating, it was also funny at the same time... I just wish I had some of our conversations on camera!"
Katrina's new boat is "X Wing", a Pogo 2 designed series boat. Racing so far this year has been challenging due to her current sail wardrobe, which saw considerable miles under the previous owner.
The Australian sailor has been following her dream for several years: "The Mini Transat is my objective. To me it is the ultimate test of a sailor, which is why I want to do it. Last year was heart breaking, but I still have the dream and the determination and I fully intend to be on both the start line and the finish line in 2015."
Katrina is based in Lorient, France, where she works as an English teacher, while attending her own French classes. She has received continued support from Pantaenius Australia enabling her to compete in the Classe Mini season throughout 2014, with the ultimate goal of completing the 2015 Mini Transat.
www.katrinahamracing.com/blog