December 10, 2012
The Paris Boat Show is in full swing! Classe Mini opened the registration on December 8th, at the boat show, and in the first hour 40 boats were registered. This is a very popular event. It really and truly is the breading ground for world class sailors, with more than half of this year’s Vendee Globe skippers having grown up in a mini. Can’t wait to see the registration list!
Diane
December 8, 2012
TADA! One registration form officially complete and submitted for the 2013 Mini Transat Race! WOOHOO! Registration closes on December 17th….Let’s see who else applies for a spot!
Diane
December 7, 2012
Still waiting for the Notice of Race to be published so I can send my entry form in to Classe Mini. In the meantime, I’ve booked my flight back to Europe! Woohoo! I’ll head back for training with the Artemis Offshore Academy, for February and March. See you all at the Toronto International Boat Show in January!
Diane
December 6, 2012
The 2013 Mini Transat official Notice of Race will be published tomorrow, the 7th. Registration opens tomorrow in Paris at the Boat Show. Just picture it…..hundreds of keen little eager beavers all standing in the lineup to submit their applications. It will be like Christmas morning! I will be eagerly poised at my computer ready to print the form, complete the application, scan and hit SEND, joining the ranks with massive anticipation and excitement!
Diane
December 4, 2012
The DCQ list is in! Classe Mini has published the list of names of the ten applicants for a DCQ position. It’s going to be tight competition this year. Although classe mini hasn’t published the miles each of the ten competitors has completed, we have done some homework and it looks like possibly two of the applicants already have all of their miles in, and other applicants have significant events completed. This puts the pressure on to get qualified. OGOC is changing the game plan to meet with the new circumstances. We’re going to ITALY! It’s imperative that we complete the first “B class” race of the season, which is in Italy. Although this sounds very exotic, it also means that the cost of living, operations and logistics has also become more exotic…..oh wait, that’s expensive not exotic! As always we will adapt and make it work, and make you proud. See you at the Toronto Boat Show!
Diane
December 3, 2012
This is like waiting for Christmas morning! Anticipation, adrenaline, hope……anticipation….did I mention anticipation…..!!! We’re waiting for the DCQ list to be posted by classe mini. It’s scheduled to be posted today, but we haven’t seen it yet…soon I’m sure!
Diane
November 30, 2012
We’re waiting with GREAT anticipation….for the DCQ list! The list will be published on Dec 1st.
Just to bring everyone up to speed….here’s the explanation. The Mini Transat saves 6 race entrance spots for non european boats to use in the race year to complete their qualifying miles. Rumour has it that ten of us have applied for the six spots. That means that all ten of us will be in a race to complete our qualifying miles, to gain one of the 6 coveted spots. First six boats to complete their miles wins a spot. The good news is that on OGOC we have almost all of our miles completed. BUT, we won’t know for sure how we rank against the other DCQ applicants until they post the list with the rankings. The suspense is KILLING ME 🙂
Diane
November 28, 2012
TADA!
Two re-trained Standard First Aid and CPR people. Andrew and I are ready to put a bandaid on just about anything while hitting the Fastnet Race with all our might! We passed the course with flying colours. It was a great refresher course taught by a wonderfully enthusiastic teacher. Watch out world….we’re armed and not afraid to use them 🙂
Diane
November 27, 2012
Our First Aid and CPR course is half finished. Today Andrew and I learned about assessing the scene, how to provide CPR and use a defibrillator, and how to treat for heart attack, stroke and shock. So far so good! Andrew’s and my experiences on the water over the years have lead us to having a story for almost every scenario. It was hard not to share, but we kept to ourselves mostly. In fact, we’ve both been certified in First Aid and CPR for many many years through our sailing expeditions and our work activities, but for next year’s Fastnet race, we’re required to have an STCW95 certification, and both of ours are just falling out of date, so it was time to take the course again.
Apparently my “Actar” is not breathing and unconscious!
Cross your fingers and hope for the best!!!!
November 23, 2012
Well it’s official. I’m now endorsed by the Royal Yachting Association and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a Commercial Coastal Yachtmaster for vessels under 24 metres. Woohoo! This might become a very valuable certification while I’m in Europe, as I may need to earn a little extra cash! Now…..on to the next task!
Diane
