“Your Prep Time has Ended”
Check out the new Mini Transat Mission podcast episode
Most Marines can still hear the saying “Your prep time has ended…” echo across the rifle range, no matter how long ago they experienced the qualification process. Well, those words still felt just as real as we approached the start of the 2023 Mini Transat.
Departing Les Sables d’Olonne for the start of the Mini Transat (Photo: Manon Le Guen)
Leg 1 of the Mini Transat complete!
Early on Saturday morning October 7th, I finished the first leg of the Mini Transat. 1,350 nm from Les Sables d’Olonne, France to the Canary Island of La Palma in 11d 13h 21m 3s.
Going into this race I expected a challenge but you never know exactly how it will all play out. There were plenty of tough days out there, but also some incredible downwind sailing, surfing down waves with the big spinnaker up off the coasts of Portugal and Africa. More to follow soon with my in depth after action report blog posts. For now, getting you all up to speed initially with a podcast episode.
In this podcast episode, Jane helps me break down the final preparations for the Mini Transat, the race village experience, the departure, and the start of the race. We discuss parts of the race beyond what you can see from the tracker alone. Scroll down to see more photos!
Jane spent two weeks in France helping me with the final race preparations (Photo: Manon Le Guen)
All images by Manon Le Guen from the departure from the pontoon and the start of the race. Enjoy!
Thank you to everyone who is following along and supporting this mission! We are grateful for the community that has rallied behind this campaign and I am proud to represent the USA and U.S. Patriot Sailing in this international race. We have reached the 50% goal for fundraising for the campaign but your donations to support this campaign are still needed, with changes in flights, logistics costs, and additional unplanned expenses that have added up quickly. Any support is greatly appreciated! Please click the Donate button below to support!
While we have some awesome sponsors, we still need your support to finish this mission. Every donation helps, THANK YOU!
After crossing the starting line Terminal Leave heads south west on a close reach (Photo: Manon Le Guen)
Completed Leg 1 after a slow final 15 nm drift to the finish line (photo: QAPTUR/Mini Transat)
Cleaned and dried out the boat and sailing gear
Terminal Leave is currently in Santa Cruz de La Palma
With the boat cleaned up, Jane and I explored part of La Palma
Roque de Los Muchachos: 2,426 m (8k ft) and the highest point on La Palma
The volcanic crater has an observatory with about twenty telescopes lining the top and the largest telescope in the world
Sunrise over Santa Cruz de La Palma and the black sand beaches
Natural swimming pool in the volcanic rock at El Charco Azul
Breath taking views at Roque de Santo Domingo along La Palma’s northwest coast line.
Playa de la Veta on the west coast of La Palma. After a crazy drive down a small back road and a twenty minute hike down the cliff (to include walking through a rock tunnel) we made it to a small beach far from any tourists.
Hiking down to Playa de la Veta (you can just see the small beach at the base of the cliff)
Sunset on Play de la Veta
If you are able to help, please consider donating through U.S. Patriot Sailing for a tax-deductible donation or through our GoFundMe page.
Learn More Here: www.pgnoceanracing.com/donate
I am racing in the Mini Transat as an ambassador for U.S. Patriot Sailing to raise awareness for this incredible non-profit team.
U.S. Patriot Sailing
Supports the veteran community navigate the hardships of transition to civilian life, rehabilitation after injury, and the complex life challenges associated with combat deployments. The organization accomplishes its mission by welcoming veterans back onto a winning team, provides camaraderie, a sense of mission accomplishment, and new dynamic experiences
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