FOLLOW THE RACE

September 10, 2001

News Flash!

OFF TO LA ROCHELLE!!
RACING SCHEDULE--SEPTEMBER 22, 2001:
START OF THE TRANSAT 6.5 CHARENTE-MARITIME/BAHIA!

Gale returned to La Rochelle on Saturday, Sept. 8, to make the final preparations to the boat before the start on the 22nd. We want to thank all our supporters for their wishes for success and generous donations. Our grass-roots supporters have made a huge impact both emotionally and financially. Good on ya guys!!

Thanks also to Raymarine Company for supplying a backup autopilot. Raymarine, formerly the Raytheon Corporation, manufactures and distributes the highest quality marine electronic products and services for the world-wide boating market.

At press date it appears that there will be a professionally filmed TV documentary about Gale's Mini-Transat campaign. Part of the boat preparation will be the installation of mini-cams on the boat to film footage of her during the race. Speaking of filming, a short promotional video narrated by Gary Jobson has been completed. Bob Soneira of Capital News Service did the editing and Sherry Snider prepared the script. They did a super job! Thanks guys. If anyone needs film editing or scripting work done, these are the people to contact.

Gale's campaign is attracting more notice from the national press. Herb McCormick, editor of Cruising World and sailing columnist inteviewed Gale this week. The following was in the New York Times:

New York Times Sunday, Sept. 9, 2001 BOATING Mini Transat Challenges the Best Solo Racers By Herb McCormick If the organizers of the X Games - the alternative festival of extreme sports for youthful enthusiasts with but a passing regard for life and limb - were ever to feature an offshore sailing component, they would be hard pressed to dream up anything more radical than the Mini Transat. Contested in lightweight, 21-footers that displace roughly 2,100 pounds and carry more sail area than should be legally permissible, the transoceanic race for solo sailors has long been a proving ground for young French turks with dreams of round-the-world glory. The single-handed sailors Yves Parlier, Isabelle Autissier, Thierry Dubois and Jean Luc Van den Heede went on to score big sponsorship deals for events like the Vendée Globe after jump-starting their careers with breakthrough performances in the Mini Transat. So too did the rising English star Ellen MacArthur, who in 1997 was a rare entrant from a country outside France. But the ambitious MacArthur, who finished second in the most recent Vendée, understood that to ultimately compete with the sport's best - historically, the French have dominated long-distance solo sailing - it was necessary to begin playing the game on their terms. The next edition of the Mini Transat is scheduled to begin on Sept. 22. Of the 55 entrants, there will be one American at the start. And at age 45 and with three teenagers at home, the rookie skipper Gale Browning is clearly not the stereotypical Mini Transat maniac. "I became interested in it while following the last Around Alone race," said Browning by phone from Annapolis, Md., where she works as a marine surveyor. "I got this crazy idea that I had to do Around Alone, but I realized I had to take the necessary steps to prepare myself. Then I heard about this race where all the top French sailors got their training." Taking the advice of another British Mini- Transat vet, Mark Turner, who had moved on to become MacArthur's shoreside manager, Browning traveled to the start and finish of the 1999 event. When it was over, in the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, she paid $60,000 for the boat of a Spanish sailor who had finished ninth. Not until she had the boat home on the Chesapeake did she begin to understand what she had gotten herself into. "I was terrified," she said of the vessel, which can record speeds of 20 knots. But Browning hired some local pros to literally show her the ropes, and after some shaky first steps - she ran aground on her first outing - she began to appreciate the pocket- sized speed machine. "It's not simple, but it's very stable and fun to sail," said Browning, who has since weathered 40 knots of breeze and 15-foot seas while making her qualifying sail from Annapolis to Miami last November. Afterward, she had the boat shipped to France, and made repeated trips over the summer to train for the event. "I've been sailing against some other guys that know how to make these boats go fast," she said. "I think I can finish in the top 10 but it's going to take a lot of concentration and pushing beyond my comfort zone." A native of Utah, where she grew up to be an expert skier, Browning left the mountains in her 20's to seek adventure on the high seas. An inaugural offshore passage to Hawaii left her thirsting for more and she eventually became a delivery skipper and, later, the captain of her own 40-foot topsail schooner. Her broad nautical background should stand her in good stead once the race begins. So too will her maternal background. "I had brand-new twins and a 2-year-old at the same time, and that taught me to balance things and fit in sleep and keep going," she said. "I think all my past experiences will be helpful when I get out there." Only a handful of Americans have participated in the Mini Transat, which was first staged in 1976, and their results have been mixed. The San Francisco sailor Norton Smith, sailing a boat called American Express, won the 1979 edition. But in the 1981 race, the yacht designer Steve Callahan's boat Napoleon Solo sank off the Canary Islands and he spent 76 days in a life raft before being rescued by fishermen off Guadeloupe. Browning said she knew the dangers, but was not overly concerned. "If I was really worried I wouldn't attempt it," she said. "I definitely think it's safer than getting on the Beltway and driving around Washington, D.C." This year's 4,250-nautical-mile Mini Transat begins in La Rochelle, France, and concludes in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, after a layover in the Canaries. Browning said she would be out of pocket some $175,000. On the other hand, should all go according to plan, it will have been money well invested. For Browning will have started down the road to achieving her own round-the-world dreams, while proving one need not be young or French to do so.

Sue Mott's interview with another female off-shore ocean racer that give an interesting insight into the motivation for participating in these types of events and the evolution of women competing in offshore ocean races. For the full interview see the The Telegraph's website. Sue Mott did an interview with the Volvo Ocean Race's Nautor Challenge skipper, American Lisa McDonald, for The Telegraph's in the UK. Here is an excerpt:

"When you're out there and you surf down that perfect wave in the sunshine and the whole team's working well, that's when it brings the whole sport and adventure and history of it all together. You're going really fast, mixing it up with the others and you think 'Gosh, that's fantastic.' Five thousand miles of that is really exhilarating. It's really hard to express that to the general public, because there's nothing like it on land." "People say, 'Well, how much hot water do you have for your showers?'" she scoffed gently. (I hastily crossed that question out). "We don't have hot water for 35 days, except what we boil up for our meals." She pealed with happy laughter. "We don't even have showers. Just cold salt-water buckets." Ah, salt water buckets and the other joys of simple living. But knock it as much as you like, McDonald can attest to a growing number of skilled and enthusiastic female sailors, which perhaps reached its apotheosis in videoed, sou'westered, death-defying pocket form of Ellen MacArthur. Whether the old sea dogs like it or not, women have come out of the galley. Tracy Edwards and Maiden "broke the glass ceiling" as puts it, in 1989-90. Since then the numbers have escalated hugely, especially compared to the debut running of the race in 1973 when only three British women were entered across the whole fleet. Even then the official race record-keepers seem to think they might have been men in drag. They append a little note to the historical roster: "This list may not be entirely accurate due to the fact some female names could be mistaken for male." Well, I am not sure there can be much doubt about 'Wendy', but never mind. The point is that women sailors have proved their worth. There are extremities out there and instead of bursting into feminine tears, they cope. "It is the greatest roller coaster ride in the world," said McDonald. "It is the nature of the beast. It's such a minimal way of life that when something does go wrong it's quite dramatic. - Sue Mott, The Telegraph

TITLE SPONSORSHIP

Hartoft Marine Survey Ltd., the highly regarded the Annapolis marine surveying firm, has provided the most financial support to date, and, barring a last minute identification of a corporate sponsor for the race, Gale will rename the boat after the firm.

Headed by Peter Hartoft, Hartoft Marine Survey Ltd., 410-263-3609, performs all types of surveys for both power and sail throughout the northeast region of the United States.

BOOTH AT RACERS' VILLAGE

Yours truly of Team US Challenge will be manning our booth at the Transat 650 Racer's Village from Sept. 15-21. This is an exposition similar the Whitbread (now Volvo) Racers's Village that was in Baltimore/Annapolis in April of 99. The organizers expect well over a 100,000 sailing enthusiasts to visit the Racers' Village and the Transat docks where the Mini racers will be berthed.

This marina, Port des Minimes, one of several in La Rochelle, has over 4,000 slips. (My hotel, minutes from the docks, has room for another person should anyone decide to join us over there.)

I will also be observing the start and also taping it thanks to the loan of a Sony mini-cam from Gary Jobson.

We will have an informal get together at EYC after my return on the 23rd for those who would like to see film of the Mini docks & the start. The date will be announced later.

FOLLOW GALE'S PROGRESS IN THE TRANSAT RACE

Each boat is required to have a satellite transponder and the race organizers "poll" the fleet regularly to keep track of the racers' locations. Race organizers have set up a race website, www.transat650.com, and likely the racers' positions and results will be posted there. The website is still under construction--let's hope they provide an English translation.

A French website, www.seasailsurf.com, also follows the Mini races. Although the text is in French, English side bars are provided. The British Mini class also follows the races, at www.ryasolo.org.uk and Offshore Challenges, posts results as well.

We located a free translation site, translation2.paralink.com, although the results are sometimes more comical than accurate.

TITLE SPONSOR STILL NEEDED!

Some interesting statistics about the value of the publicity generated by sailing events:

The other benefit to sponsorship is team building and enhancing corporate morale. The EDS Atlantic Challenge website has an email clearing house where email is forwarded to and posted from the boats as they are racing. Here's a letter to the crew of Mike Golding's ECover, sponsored by a Belgian manufacturer & distributor of environmentally friendly cleaning products, soaps & shampoos of the same name, from one of their employees...

See how Ecover has used the images of the boat on its website, www.ecover.com.

Kingfisher plc, one of Europe's largest retailers, sponsors Britain's Ellen MacArthur of Vendee Globe fame and also uses the boat's image on its website, www.kingfisher.com.

We are working on some leads but if anyone has contacts to corporate decision makers or can otherwise help locating a corporate sponsor please let us know. The sponsor gets to name the boat & design the graphics with their name on sails & hull. Plus, the sponsor is featured on all Team US Challenge communications & gear and has rights to Gale & the boat's images for any type of promotional use.

The sponsor will be featured at our booth at the Race Village, upcoming Annapolis Boatshows, at our speaking engagements, and on team gear.

Or if you know of any individuals who might be interested in becoming a patron for the only American woman to take on the challenge of doing a single-handed transatlantic crossing please contact them. Patronage is tax deductible through the EYC Foundation.

SUPPORTING SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE TOO

Anyone interested in a high exposure, multi-national advertising and publicity opportunity, contact Kathy or Gale immediately. We have a very nice informational package in full color that is available and have developed a variety of signage and branding opportunities at varying levels of financial commitment. Let us know if you would like one to make a presentation to any potential sponsors/patrons. Remember, it's not too late to have your organization represented at the Transat exposition!

Contact Kathy Weber, or Pete Emens, for more information.

LONG TERM GOALS

The 2001 Mini-Transat is the first stage of Gale's five-year solo racing program that will culminate in the 2006 Around Alone Race, the well known single-handed around the world race.

After the finish of the Mini-Transat, Gale and Team U.S. Challenge will make the decision whether to compete in the Figaro solo races for 2002 or leap into an Open 50 racing program.

The Figaro, sailed in 30' Beneteau's, is a series of short-handed point to point races from La Rochelle - Gijon, Spain - St. Quay Portrieux, France - Côtes d'Armor, France - Dingle, Ireland - Txingudi (Hendaye-Hondarribia), France.

The Open 50 program would concentrate on international off-shore races such as the Route de Rhum, Transat Jaques Fabre, Round Britain, and Europe 1 Man Star. In 2004, we plan to commission an Open 60 for a venue of short-handed & Grand Prix events to complete Gale's training for the 2006 Around Alone.

TRAVEL PACKAGES

Gale's niece, Tara, and her employer, Global Travel, present the following suggested travel packages for our Team and Gale's supporters:

La Rochelle September 2001

JOIN US FOR THE START! IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

Packages from $1800.00 per person double occupancy. Packages include airfare from Baltimore to Paris round trip, 10 days compact rental car, 3 nights hotel in Paris, 3 nights hotel in Bordeaux, and 3 nights in La Rochelle. Can be customized!

Madrid/Lanzerote October 2001

Packages from $1700.00 per person double occupancy. Packages include airfare from Baltimore to Madrid and then on to Lanzerote round trip, 3 nights hotel in Madrid, 4 day compact car rental in Madrid, and 4 nights hotel in Lanzerote.

Rio/Salvador da Bahia November 2001

Packages from $2500.00 per person double occupancy. Packages include airfare from Baltimore to Rio round trip, Brazil air pass, 3 nights hotel in Rio, 3 nights hotel in Salvador and 2 nights in the Amazon. [Ed. note: I visited Brazil in 1997 for the Penguin Internationals in Rio. Fabulous! Great beaches, food, music, shops! Salvador was the colonial capital of Brazil, like Annapolis--very historic--with restoration of old buildings, neat yacht harbor, beaches & shops. Adding the side trip to the Amazon...this package sounds like a winner!]

All these packages can also be customized for individual preferences. Also, the La Rochelle In-the-Water Boat Show is the week before the start of the Mini-Transat for those interested. No visa needed for France, just passport.

Contact Tara at Global Travel, 208 387-1000 ext. 2101, 208 338-6042 fax for specifics.

• Hartoft Marine Survey Ltd.
• A&B Trucking
• Accent Graphics
• Atlantic Spars & Rigging
• Bags by Mimi
• Consolidated Yacht Company
• Crusader Yacht Sales
• Dirty Dog Eyewear
• Fawcett Boat Supplies
• Guy Cotten
• Harken
• Jersey & Associates
• Jobson Sailing
• Kathryn Leonard, Artist
• Maritime Applied Physics Corp
• Merrill Stevens Sailing Center
• Muller Marine
• New England Ropes
• NKE Electronics
• Petrini Shipyard
• Quantum Atlantic
• Raymarine
• Spinsheet Magazine
• Stellar Presentations, Inc
• Stevens Battery Warehouse
• Systematic Solutions
• Tylaska

DONATIONS

Tax deductible donations can be made to Gale's campaign. Make checks payable to the EYC Foundation, (a 501(c)(3) organization), Attn: Women's Sailing, and mail/deliver to Eastport Yacht Club, 317 First St., Annapolis, MD 21403.

Check out the EYC Foundation web page for news about their projects and their mission statement.

YACHT CLUBS

Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis, Maryland, is the lead yacht club supporting Gale's historic campaign. West River Sailing Club, located in Galesville on the South River has also joined the team. WRSC, founded in the 30s, has active racing programs for dinghies and big boats as well as a popular junior sailing program and a cruising schedule.

We invite other clubs to join the team.