Mini-Transat qualification: 1,000 nautical miles for Peter Sorowka: Sorowka: "Time is different when sailing than on land"

The Wedel-based start-up founder Peter Sorowka is travelling with his mini "Kolibri" on the 1,000 nautical mile qualification for the Mini-Transat. The skipper is planning to take part in 2025 and is now laying the foundations for this. He set off on his solo adventure in the North Sea off Cuxhaven on the night of 28 to 29 June. Early on Saturday morning, he still had 40 nautical miles to go to Bass Rock near Edinburgh. The single-handed sailor is in a good mood after the fourth night alone on board. Here is Peter Sorowka's first report from the sea:

"I've finally arrived in Scotland and have my first mobile phone reception. Soon the Bass Rock will appear in the rain clouds ahead of me. The tour so far has been varied. Unfortunately, there have also been periods of calm. I actually wished I had been here yesterday evening. Instead of sliding directly over here with a spinnaker as expected, I was initially unable to sail a direct course due to the very easterly wind, so I first went as far west as I could. After the lulls, the wind shifted to SW, which gave me upwind sailing. But the last night was really nice with southerly winds of around 25 knots, which is enough for 15 knots of planing on the Mini even without a spinnaker.

Personally: The tour is really long! I'm only 40 per cent of the way through, and it's been pretty intense so far. Mentally, it's going well, many people had asked me beforehand whether I wasn't afraid of not seeing land for so long. This was actually the first time I've been completely alone, but I feel safe and comfortable on my ship. I pass the time with films, music and logbook writing. I do this every three hours in accordance with the mini-class regulations. I'm always surprised that another three hours have already passed. Time is different when sailing than it is on land.

"You argue with your inner bastard every five minutes"

In any case, everything you do here takes time, planning, care and effort. There is so little space on the Mini, every move is an effort. You have a discussion with your inner bastard every five minutes, whether it's about sleeping, eating, changing clothes, trimming the sails, tidying up, putting on a hat or whatever.

The route I chose on the North Sea had the huge advantage that I really had space. I saw maybe just a handful of ships and no buoys. Nothing at all. I was therefore able to stay below deck for a long time without any worries and sleep a lot, which was good in the increasingly cold weather. I went into the cockpit in shorts at 5 a.m. on the first day, and now the air temperature is just 14 degrees Celsius and the weather is typically Scottish.

I still have 40 miles to Bass Rock, then I have to sail around the nearby Isle of May and then I'm really looking forward to heading home again. I've got the boat full of photos of my family - and I already can't wait to hold them in my arms again."

The 1,000 nautical mile qualification can be tracked here (please click!).