Aussie solo sailor Katrina Ham completes Mini Transat 2015
by Barney Smith on 24 Nov 2015
Katrina during the race Katrina Ham
Australian solo sailor Katrina Ham reached Guadeloupe and finished the Mini Transat 2015 race on Thursday 19 November. She is the only Australian among the 56 finishers and she is the first Australian to complete the epic solo challenge since 2009.
On finishing Katrina said, “Considering that, just a few months ago, I was not sure if I would be allowed on the start line, it is pretty amazing to be here at the finish!”
Racing her 6.5m Mini class yacht “katrinahamracing.com” Katrina took twelve days and six hours to complete the first leg of 1,250 nautical miles, from Douarnenez, France to Lanzarote, Canary Islands. She then took 18 days and 21 hours to complete the second leg of 2,770 miles from Lanzarote to Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe.
In pursuit of her dream to complete the Mini Transat race Katrina lived in a van in France for the last two years. She added, “Nearly six years ago, I left Australia dreaming of this race, having never even seen a Mini. Nevertheless, I dedicated my life to it. From moving to France, learning to sail solo, living full time in a van, from the highs of solo racing to the devastating lows of the 2013 race, it has been one hell of a ride and I am so thankful to everyone that has helped me along the way!”
Katrina would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported her, including all those who contributed to her Fosburit crowdfunding campaign, as well as sponsors Centre de Formation - Amanda Grey, Sandrine de Courcy – Made in Mariniere, Infinity Nautique, Wichard Pacific, Profurl, Barz Optics, Donaghys and Southern Ropes and McIntyre Adventure.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/140317