Bert doesn't know what to feel after his fist solo race in the Classe 6.50.  He did quite well in the 300 nm Pornichet Sélect, despite the very low winds.  He became 23rd in the series class, in a total of 53 competitors.  He's looking at the result with a healthy level of scepticism, but the initial goal has been reached: finishing the race and hence taking the first step in qualifying for the Transat 650 in 2011.

When he talks to the people at home right after crossing the finishing line at a terribly slow pace, Bert sounds very serious: "The last 7 miles have cost me 6 hours of just floating around, under the stinging sun.  It was a matter of finding the best currents. Also, I've been at the helm myself for the last 24 hours.  Nerve-wrecking in these conditions with very little wind.  But ok, I won't forget about my début in the Classe 6.50 anytime soon ..."

75 hours earlier, Bert made a very good start.  He was in the leading group of 5.  Together with Fritz Buyl, our météo-advisor they had predicted there would be very little wind.  That why they chose to go for the coast, where the sea breeze would carry them further and by night fall, Bert would head back for the sea.  But that's when things went wrong and he and Felicity II ended up in a calm.  By the time they reach the west side of Belle Ile he has lost precious time and places in the ranking.  "The upwind boatspeed really wasn't what it should have been, certainly in comparison with the speeds I achieved during the trainings back at Douarnenez."  Luckily, after rounding the Ile, the genakker could be hoisted again and off he went, making up for many of the places he had lost before.

"Before Les Sables d'Olonne we turned back to the west, so we were going upwind again.  I noticed that other boats were pointing higher, and their speed was better as well.  I spent all my energy in finding out what was wrong, and even drift backward to remove any seaweed that could have gotten stuck around the keel. To no avail.  When I noticed I had oversailed the mark, frustration peaks.  I should have tacked much earlier at the Ile de Groix.  I was hardly moving for eight hours afterwards, in the middle of a calm.  I thought I was dead last, but I kept faith and knew I had to continue.  But then I heard on the radio that I was in the middle of the fleet.  The race was not over yet!"

Then came the finale of the race.  Seven very important miles to the finish in as good as no wind.  Bert manages to gain another few places, but still he learns that knowing the local tidal currents is crucial in such conditions.

12 of the competitors gave up during the race.  But also for Bert is was a very confronting race:  "We still have to do a lot.  The autopilot needs some additional fine-tuning, and also, the new sails might need some adjustments.  I'm also looking forward to the results of the first series of physiological measurements that our trainer from Douarnenez, Michaël Hedouis, performed during the race.  During the race I felt very good.  Lets find out whether the data from the sensors I wore during the last three days confirm this ..."

After this race, Felicity II will be sailed back to Douarnenez by Michiel.  The team will then start training again, preparing for the Transmanche race on May 21st.  Two weeks later Bert will participate in the MAP and on June 13th Bert and Koen will start in the Mini Fastnet.

The sailing adventure in France has only just begun ...