Even though February in Annapolis felt like endless days of snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures, it was a busy month for this campaign with boat projects, planning, and fundraising! As I write this SITREP, with the cold rain just outside, I remain hopeful for the upcoming season after the glimpse of spring yesterday.

The registration for this upcoming racing season in France leading up to the Mini Transat opened earlier this week. I have registered in four races totaling 1,972 nautical miles (nm) of sailing. This will fit with my timeline of transferring off active duty from the U.S. Marine Corps in April and still meeting the 1,500 nm requirement of Classe Mini races before the big September Atlantic crossing.

Below is an overview of the four race routes and qualification route I plan on completing from June through August this year.

As January comes to an end, it is time to bring you all up to speed with how the campaign is coming along in this SITREP.

What a year 2020 turned out to be for all of us. Join us as we look back on this year with U.S. Patriot Sailing in Annapolis, MD.

Why race in the Mini Transat, over 4,000 nautical miles, across the ocean solo, and in a 21’ sail boat? I am racing in the 2021 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.

As we near the end of 2020, this campaign is just heating up. The foundation is laid and continues to be built upon as we focus on preparing for the 2021 Mini Transat.

Earlier this week, the race organizing authority launched their new website with the most up to date information for the race itself, to include the notice of race! Make sure to check it all out and the new intro video here: https://minitransat.fr/en/

Thank you for exploring the PGN Ocean Racing website!

The objective of this campaign is to compete in the 2021 Mini Transat on a 21’ sailboat, racing solo from Les Sables-d'Olonne, France across the Atlantic Ocean to Guadeloupe, without assistance.