I’m super excited about this!

I’ve been selected to participate in a new program from Wind Athletes Canada to participate in a program that will allow some Canadian sailors to go down to New Zealand and learn to sail an Open 60, O Canada (ex Spirit of Canada).

This is a wonderful opportunity for me, not just because I get to sail on Canada’s most bad ass boat, but even better, I get to work with some amazing sailors and coaches. The other members of the sailing squad are members of the Canadian Sailing Team and are training for the next Olympics. (I feel a bit the odd man out on this one, being the only offshore sailor in the bunch, but whatever, different people always bring different things to the team.)

Our coaches Dan Slater and Ed Smyth are both New Zealanders and ex-America’s Cup sailors. While a may be sailing a bit of different game then these folks, I am so excited to learn from them. Just a great opportunity to

As for the program, we’ll be doing some day sails out of Viaduct Harbour for the first few days as we learn the systems on the boat and then do a few days offshore and get into a watch system. (This is going to be simply luxurious for me! I never get to sleep more than 20 minutes when I’m sailing these days. I have almost forgotten what a four hour watch is like!)

I am so grateful to Wind Athletes Canada for making this a possibility. There are so few opportunities in Canada to expand experience in offshore sailing and I really applaud the effort to bring this type of program to sailors who are ready learn and expand their horizons.

I’m hoping to do some writing along the way on this so I hope that you’ll stay tuned to find out how it all works out!

Good News came from France this week.

I received word from the Classe Mini that my 1000nm qualification was approved by the committee. This is great news as I have the paper to prove that I am now halfway through my Mini Transat qualifications!

The boat is once again at Boat Services Kingston and I am starting to get my head wrapped around the work list for the spring. On the list: Bottom paint, splicing and replacing some running rigging as well as changing some block positions. Nothing major luckily.

John Clark and Andy Soper have my sails at the Kingston Sail Loft for a check up and some tweaks. I’m so grateful for their ongoing support.

The schedule for next season seems to be coming together and I think we are going to have an interesting year. More on this soon.