As I finally set sail for the start of the Mini Transat in Dourarnenez I am realising a dream I have had for many years, and a dream many sailors have but many achieve. I begin to think what a crazy compulsion this race is. I find it extremely entertaining the fact that in my efforts to save money I do not buy a car, nor treat myself to a taxi, instead I will walk 10km to the ship chandlery or electronics shop in the pouring rain only to spend 350 Euro on a piece of equipment, pay 1000Euro off my chandlery bill, or spend 500 Euro on new rigging! I have been doing so much walking intact that my flip flops have attempted to retire, but a bit of sickaflex solves the problem every time to give them new life – After all, why would i spent 20 Euro on a pair of flip flops when I can spend it on the boat!
There are no swanky hotels in this campaign, as in order to spend 12000 Euro on a new set of sails (This is actually an awesome deal, as some campaigns are spending over 25,000 Euro on a new set of sails) I sleep on the boat like a gypsy camping. My luxury accommodation consists of a thin sleeping mat, sleeping bag and whatever food I can cook in my Jet Boil Stove, crammed in with all my gear in a 21 foot boat
In this economic market, while people in the world are starving, and the globe is suffering from environmental pillaging, it is no wonder that corporations can not afford to pay the big bucks we request for sponsorship, and every day I imagine what I could do if we had 1% the budget of the America’s Cup for the entire mini fleet! Sure the racing would be the same, but life would be a great deal easier! No wingers here though, Im stoked to be where I am at this point of time in my life, I am living a life I could only dream of a few years ago. The boat is awesome, fast, and extremely well fitted out. I have no doubt that if I point the RG650 in the right direction, I stand a good chance of winning a Mini Transat!
At this point of time the boat is on a one way ticket to Guadalupe, and nothing can stop us (Me and Taz). Being able to afford to ship the boat back to Valencia is another story, and a questionable one, but at this point of time my focus (and compulsion) is to have the RG650 Mini Transat in the best possible condition to win this race, so when I spend another 300 euro to make the start, it is worth it in every way and I will cross the return bridge when I come to it. ! The return shipment of the boat reminds me of a choose your own adventure book. If you have money turn to page 100, if not, turn to page 8 – you can probably guess the outcome! Yachtmoving has already stepped up and giving me a fantastic discounted rate on the return shipping, but all I need is to squeeze out a bit more cash from somewhere to make it happen.
Fingers Crossed, one of my sponsorship applications is nearing the top of Oracle’s pile of sponsorship requests, but since I’m sure Oracle is now a little hesitant to support another sailing adventure, yet another sponsorship, donation and support plea go’s out to you, the reader of my blogs and all your friends. Please ask around and see if you can help me organise some much needed funds to win this race!
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Thankyou to: http://www.profurl.com, http://www.harken.com, http://www.yachtmoving.es, http://www.equipyacht.com, http://www.zhik.com, http://www.rg650europe.com, http://www.boatbooks-aust.com.au All donations and sponsorship greeatly appreciated.