One Girls Ocean Challenge

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but for next year’s Fastnet race, we’re required to have an STCW95 certification, and both of ours are just falling out of date, so it was time to take the course again.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

November 16, 2012

Two to four times a week I workout with Susan of .  Skinny Legs has become such a valuable part of my training that I don’t want to miss out on any workouts while I’m in France this spring.  The workouts have helped me to develop some great muscle structure, strength and stamina, but as we all know, it won’t last if you don’t keep working at it.   So to keep me fit, we’re taking Skinny Legs to France with us through Skype!  This way I won’t have any excuses not to come to class….unless of course I’m actually on the water racing.  Thanks Skinny Legs for being so flexible and keeping me as part of the class!

November 12, 2012

One Girl’s Ocean Challenge is proud to announce as our official Weather Routing sponsor for the 2013 Mini Transat race and all the racing in between.  PredictWind will be a valuable tool for us as we train in the Solent this spring with and as we race in the Bay of Biscay and the Irish Sea in the Fastnet race finishing up our qualifying for the 2013 Transat race.

This past summer I found the Isobar Maps and the Grib Files to be an incredible tool.  Their predictions for the Lake Ontario 300 were spot on.  Now I’m looking forward to using the Weather Routing tool and learning all of it’s functionality to help give us an edge on the competition!  Weather routing is one of the single most important elements when heading out.  You need to know what’s coming so that you’re ready to deal with it.  Next time you’re heading out I definitely recommend using  for accurate weather and wind forecasting!

Diane

November 9, 2012

We’re winning with !  There’s always more safety equipment needed, things that expire and new requirements to be met, with ocean racing.  Thanks to Mason’s Chandlery for constantly making sure OGOC is up to all the requirements needed. These guys really know their stuff.  We’re going back to France with a new battery monitor, new flares, re arm kits for lifejackets and loads of bits in between. If you’re getting ready for winter storage, spring launch or the Lake Ontario 300, Mason’s Chandlery is a great part of our team and yours.

Diane

November 7, 2012

The Vendee Globe starts Saturday morning at 0700!  These incredible skippers and their Open 60s will race around the world non stop, solo, for 26,000 nautical miles!!! Check out the skippers….many of them started in minis!

Diane

November 5, 2012