Please select your home edition
Edition
SOUTHERN-SPARS-MISSY-FURLING-BOOMS-728-X-90 TOP

Two Canadian women and their bold transatlantic crossing dreams

by Mary Ormsby on 18 Jan 2011
One Girl’s Ocean Challenge Guy Perrin http://sail-world.com
Alone on the high seas. By choice.

The route: across the Atlantic Ocean. The engine: girl power.

Montreal’s Mylène Paquette will pull more than 5,000 kilometres in a tricked-out rowboat — yup, the kind with two oars and no motor — from Gaspé, Que. to Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, this summer.

Toronto’s Diane Reid will race, solo, in a small sailboat stripped down to bare-bones communication and navigation instruments — as in sextant, pencil and paper — from France to Brazil.

This is about the time to wonder: 'Holy Magellan, are they insane?'

'The short answer is yes, probably,' says Reid, 38, who will be the first Canadian woman to compete in the France-to-Brazil Mini Transat in 2013.

'There’s got to be an element of crazy in there to be so involved in something with so many risks.'

Paquette, who started rowing four years ago, says her father was so angry when she told him of her new passion he refused to speak to her for a few days.

Reid, whose 6.5-metre Zero is called One Girl’s Ocean Challenge, was raised in a boating family, and says sailing offers thrills that she just can’t get on land.

Read the full story on http://www.thestar.com/article/921794!TheStar.com
SOUTHERN-SPARS-AGLAIA-SPARS_728X90 BottomETNZ Store 2024 728x90 BOTTOMHyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Related Articles

Team Malizia's Boris Herrmann off to a great start
In the Vendée Globe 2024-2025 After sailing up the famous channel to the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd, the fleet of 40 IMOCA boats set sail in very light winds and in a race that will take them around the world and through the challenging conditions of the Southern Ocean.
Posted today at 4:29 pm
10th Vendée Globe Underway!
The skippers set off on the most challenging of circumnavigations The official start of the Vendée Globe took place today at 13:02. The skippers have now set off on the most famous and challenging of circumnavigations, with more than 24,000 nautical miles (45,000 km) to cover solo, non-stop, and without assistance.
Posted today at 1:32 pm
Vendée Globe: Images from the dock
Photos as the skipper depart for the start in Les Sables d'Olonne 40 skippers, 40 IMOCA yachts, hundred of support team members, and thousands of supporters in Les Sables d'Olonne as the sailor set out for the 10th Vendée Globe race.
Posted today at 11:55 am
Anticipation builds for the Hansa Worlds
Top competitors from across the globe are gearing up for fierce competition in March 2025 Anticipation is building as sailors worldwide prepare for the 2025 Hansa World Championships, set to be hosted at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, Australia.
Posted today at 5:25 am
18ft Skiff Sixt Spring Championship Race 4
Strong southerly winds forced the cancellation of today's race Strong southerly winds, gusting to more than 30 knots, forced the cancellation of today's Race 4 of the Sixt Spring 18 footer championship on Sydney Harbour.
Posted today at 3:58 am
Looking ahead to first hours of the Vendée Globe
Sailors are by and large pleased to be set for a slower and easier beginning to the race For the 40 solo skippers who will start the Vendée Globe Sunday off Les Sables d'Olonne on the west coast of France, the first few hours look set to offer a relatively gentle introduction to the non-stop race around the world.
Posted on 9 Nov
World Sailing President and Board elected
Incumbent President Quanhai Li (CHN) was re-elected for a further four-year term At the 2024 World Sailing General Assembly, the final meeting of the 2024 Annual Conference, World Sailing Member National Authorities voted in the Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections.
Posted on 9 Nov
Henri-Lloyd Fowey Ribbed Crew Knit
A classic, chunky knit made from RWS lambswool and recycled polymide The Fowey Rib Crew is a classic, chunky knit made from RWS lambswool and recycled polymide, featuring the iconic Henri-Lloyd diamond badge and is ideal for smart winter layering.
Posted on 9 Nov
Matthias Houvenagel on sailing 'fast and clever'
Preparing for the Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing a series of interviews with Musto Skiff sailors representing different countries to find out how they've been preparing for the up-coming ACO 14th Musto Skiff 2025 Worlds in Sydney in January.
Posted on 9 Nov
“The Vendée Globe remains the ultimate challenge”
Says Boris Herrmann about the legendary solo, non-stop, unassisted round-the-word race Team Malizia's skipper Boris Herrmann is setting sail this Sunday in the Vendée Globe, the legendary solo, non-stop, unassisted round-the-word race.
Posted on 9 Nov