May 27, 2010

It’s the final ten days before we drive to Annapolis for the Bermuda Ocean Race. Don’t forget to check out the spot tracker so you can follow us during the race and during my 1000nm qualifying run home!

Diane

May 24, 2010

We had a great day sailing.  Joe and Blair came out from Broad Reach and saw the basics of how to launch, rig and sail a Mini.  It went great!  Click on the spot tracker link and you can see our track for the afternoon!
Diane

We’re going out today with the Broad Reach Team. This will be their first time on the boat. I’ll try to remember to bring the camera!
Diane

May 17, 2010
That’s ok, it was good practise. Danno and I went out last night and put the mini around the marks during the ABYC race night. Danno has never been on the boat before and I’ve only had a handful of practises, so it was interesting to say the least. We had a great time and managed to do most of the course, but since we have no engine, we decided to head in while it was still light!  The Mini has a very wide tacking angle and to get to the Dry Sail crane there is a very narrow chanel, which guarantees the breeze is always on the nose!  We made it in not too badly, unlike during the practise session earlier that day where we ran aground a dozen times!  Tonight we race the A35 out at Port Credit Yacht Club…..Hope there’s breeze!
Diane

May 15, 2010

The Bermuda Ocean Race is less than 30 days away! The work list and training list is massive still, but it’s getting worked on a little at a time. We’ve just started Celestial Navigation with Nick deMunnick, the sprit pole still needs to be replaced, we still need an engine, and and and and 🙂 We’ll get there! Many thanks to Sheila who has been plugging away at logistics for while in Annapolis and in Bermuda!
Diane

May 10, 2010

WOOHOO!  What a fantastic night for the Ocean Challenge Gala on Saturday night.  We had a full house and the place was absolutely BUZZING with excitement.  Congratulations to all of the successful bidders on the wonderful auction items.  I hope you enjoy your new loot and your fantastic holidays! 

A big thank you goes to our Sponsors and our support team. 
David Cloutier and Lynn DeSouza – Apartment in France
Chef de Maison – Michelle Wolfson
Diablo Grande Motor Scooter – Mobility Unlimited
Farr 65 St. Thomas Rolex Regatta crew position – On Deck, Brian Meret
GISH outfit – Susan Bosley
Afternoon Cruise on TIU’sDay and Golf Bag – Mike Hren and Susan Bosley
Handheld VHF – The Rigging Shoppe
4 rare Antique nautical “The Boy’s Own Paper” – Patrick Flynn
Case of wine – Kathleen Walker and Jonathan Lewis
Jump Start Communications gift certificate – Tory Crowder
Blue pearl earrings and necklace – Louise Kelly
Afternoon cruise on “Cheri” – Bob and Cheryl Wright
Cadillac Fairview Shop Card – Finley McEwan
UK Halsey gift basket – Brian Chapman
Photography Portrait Sitting – Donna Miller
3 Royal Canadian Navy plaques – Mike Gillett
Toronto Consort and CD – Alison Booz
Raptor Tickets, TFC tickets – Roger VanVlack
TFC tickets – Tim Horton’s Mike MacDonald
Chivas Regal 12 and 18 year Scotch – Brian Meret
LogiTech equipment – LogiTech Paul Brennan
Catalina Jacket and sweater – Swan’s Yacht Sales
Nautilus inflatable PFD – The Store – Mason’s Chandlery
Southwinds Yacht Detailing gift certificates
Wine Basket – Brian and Carolyn Neysmith
Sailor Jones Media gift certificate – Barbara Jones
America’s Cup Model – Michael Flynn
Trisha Romance print and plate – John Chittley and Pat McCracken
Afternoon on a mini – Diane Reid
2 night’s stay at the Stewart Inn – Lynn Logie and Marc Armstrong
Prince Edward County 4 bedroom House – Phil Giddings and Krista Slack
Conrad Furey Painting original – Diane and Colin Brown
Chargriller bbq – Howard Franklin
Framed photography – Cheryl Wright
ABYC parking space – The board of ABYC

What a HUGE list!  Thank you to everyone. 

There was also a tremendous list of people who helped make the evening what it was.  That list is so long I couldn’t fit everyone in, so thank you to the staff at ABYC for making it a lovely night and giving us a wonderful dinner and thank you to the Gala team for making the place look great and making sure that everything flowed from start to finish.

Diane

We’re selling out!  If you want tickets, call the ABYC office at 416-698-4498 to get your tickets before they are all gone.  Saturday is the big day! 🙂

Here’s a short list of some of the auction items for the Gala!

OCEAN CHALLENGE GALA

AUCTION ITEMS

• Condo South of France-David Cloutier and Lynn DeSouza
• Trisha Romance Painting (original
• Conrad Furey Painting (original)
• Gish Outfit- Suse Bosley
• Afternoon Cruise with Lunch on Tiu’s Day
• Golf Bags
• Rigging Shoppe
• Model half keel
• Reserved Parking Space-ABYC Board
• Case of Wine
• Case of Boat Wax
• Dinner Party for 8-Michele Wolfson (Chef D’Maison)
• Antique Nautical item
• $1,000 Communications Services –Tory Crowder
• Gemstone Jewelry
• Spa Package
• Framed Art Photography
• Cruise for a Day
• Step Exercise Machine
• $200 Cadillac Fairview Shop Card
• UK Halsey Gift Certificate-Brian Chapman
• Photography Portrait Sitting-Donna Miller
• Gift Voucher for 2 Tickets Toronto Consort and CD
• 4 Raptor tickets for 2010/2011
• 2 TFC tickets for 2010
• 4 Bedroom house for a week in Picton (Oct/Nov 2101 or April/May 2011)
• One week St. Thomas Rolex Regatta 2011 on a Farr 65-On Deck
• Chivas Regal 12 Year Old
• Chivas Regal 18 Year Old
• BBQ
• LogiTech Harmony One Universal Remote
• Logitech Outdoor Camera Security System
• Logitech-Fancy Mouse
• Diablo Grande Motor Scooter- Mobility Unlimited
• Catalina Jacket-Swan’s Yacht Sales
• Nautilus Inflatable PFD-Mason’s Chandlery Ltd.-The Store