So, what’s next?

Going back to normal life, after a project like the Mini Transat, feels a bit strange. I was so focused on the Mini for the last 3 years, I didn’t really think, feel or speak about anything else than Mini. Which I guess was a bit frustrating and annoying sometimes for friends and family, but well. It is what it is. And I spent most of the time in France anyway, where I was surrounded by other Mini people literally all the time. We spoke about Mini, we thought about Mini, we discussed about Mini, we dreamed about Mini (even while sailing on a Mini), we felt Mini, we did Mini. 24/7.

Mini 24/7..

In November 2023, when the Mini Transat finished, this suddenly stopped. We spent the last years in a Mini bubble and now we had to go back to the world outside of this bubble. Those people who made a good plan before the final race, the Mini Transat, maybe had it a bit easier after the race than people who just let it happen. I also thought I had the perfect plan when I started the Mini Transat, but actually my plans changed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. And that is okay. But I was a bit lost in the first days after I arrived in Guadeloupe.

What helped me was talking to my family and friends and speaking out loud what I really want. Before the Mini Transat I thought the only logical next step for me would be the Figaro circuit. I thought I had to do this step before stepping up to Class 40 or other boats. But that’s not true, of course I can sail Class 40, and I have wanted to sail around the world for such a long time already, then why wait? Wait for what? Life is short, and if I manage to organise the budget to buy a boat and do the races I wanna do, then why not. It’s definitely worth a try and it’s what I want to do.

So the plan is set. It’s in my head and it will stay there until I reach the goal.

From Mini to Class 40?

From Guadeloupe, Jade and I flew directly to France to have a look at the first boats, to get an idea of the market at the moment. So since then, I fell in love with quite some beauties, but of course it won’t go that easy. The main job and hardest part in such a project is finding sponsors and partners. But it’s possible for others, then why shouldn’t it be possible for me?

In the meantime, in January, there was another big moment - my Mojo arrived in Lorient! She crossed the Atlantic another time (on the Cargo ship) and I was happy to pick her up and to see that she still was in a very good shape. I drove her directly to the shipyard in Concarneau where she got some love and repairs and where my Mojo is patiently waiting for her future skipper ever since. Selling her will be a very sad day for me on the one hand, but a big step into my sailing future on the other hand!

I can’t wait to step on my future Class 40! I am dreaming of that moment when I sail her for the first time, and that feeling is too good and makes me keep trying until it works out. So the next big and important step is to sell my loved Mojo and find supporters to being able to purchase a beautiful old Class 40 and to get back out on the ocean again!