One Girls Ocean Challenge

January 31, 2013
TADA!  One Canadian Mini sailor has arrived in England and is on her way to France.  It’s been a crazy adventure (as always with me) all the way!  First we landed at Heathrow on a one way ticket, waiting for a conversation from customs.  But, they let me!  Silly buggers!  Then I took the tube to the DVLA office to sort out some paperwork for Geoff’s van (aka my new home).  Then me and my 150 lbs of suitcases (literally) dragged our way onto the train to get the taxi to take us to the van.  After figuring out the complex alarm system and annoying every neighbour within 5 miles, I was off to get the drysuits.  After all of my adventures, I ended up at my friend Jake’s ship to crash for the night.  He’s out of town, so his brother and girlfriend and a boat load of their friends all made me feel very welcom.  Now the van and I are loaded up onto the ferry for France and on to our next adventure!

January 29, 2013
Just cleared security at the airport.  Figures I would forget something.  While packing for this fantastic adventure I packed all of my inflatable lifejacket replacement cartridges…..in my carry on.  Silly girl!  I actually had them in my checked bag, but in moving stuff around, I moved the tool pouch with the screwdrivers and the cylinders into my checked bag.  So much for them!  Fortunately they are cheap to replace!
Diane

January 28, 2013
Woohoo!  I’m off to France Tuesday.  Need to get my fantastic van, aka my new house, to Douarnenez to hook up the boat and then make my way to Lorient.  It’s going to be a busy next few days!
Diane

A friend of mine was recently chatting with his friend Perry Steigner of the Medical Arts Optical.  One way or another, they got on the topic of crazy blonde girls racing across oceans and sponsorships.  Perry instantly said “I’d love to put a good pair of sunglasses on her!”

Thanks to Perry, I am now fully visually protected from the glare of the ocean and all of life’s illuminating moments with my new Maui Jim sunglasses.  Perry has some amazing glasses and is a fantastically talented individual.  He molded and tuned my new Maui Jims into a perfect shape to stay on my face, even when I’m crashing and bashing around on the mini.

Thanks Perry!

January 24, 2013
As part of my whirlwind of adventures, last night I went to National Yacht Club to tell hair raising stories of racing in the Fastnet and the infamous Bay of Biscay.  What a wonderful reception!  Got to catch up with some friends and racing buddies, and make some new friends.  Thank you everyone for coming and for buying t-shirts!
Diane

January 23, 2013
It was a successful mission to Quebec!  One “loaner” mini safely returned to it’s rightful owner and parked safe and sound beside their house.  Thank you very much Philippe of Wichard Profurl for making our boat show the best one yet!  Next mission…..get all packed and ready to head back to France in less than a week!  Bay of Biscay training….here we come 🙂

Diane

January 20, 2013
Last day at the Toronto International Boat Show, then a quick road trip with the Mini to Quebec to return her to her rightful owner.  Then there’s just enough time to pack and visit a couple of yacht clubs before I head back to France for two months of training in the Bay of Biscay.  Cold windy days are calling me!
Diane

January 18, 2013

The is almost over!  This is your last chance to hear my crazy stories of racing in the Bay of Biscay and the infamous Fastnet race, before I head back to France in a week.  It’s also your last chance to get a unique OGOC t-shirt and some of our fantastic Aquafolia soap.  Today’s talk is at 1:30, Saturday’s is at 12:30 and Sunday’s is at 3:30.  See you there 🙂
Diane

January 14, 2013

If you’re at the this week, come by our One Girl’s Ocean Challenge booth and see what all the excitement is about.  If you’re there for 1:30pm, I’m in Salon 107 as the guest speaker, telling hair raising stories of racing in the Bay of Biscay and the infamous Fastnet race.  See you there!

Diane

January 13, 2013

It was an amazing day at the Toronto International Boat Show.  We met some fantastic people and heard a really great presentation from Damian Foxall on the Volvo Ocean Race.  We’re back at it today…see you there!

Diane