The Build is Taking Shape

Check out the recent progress with the mold!

Make sure to check out our latest videos on Instagram

Support this mission: There is still time to make a tax deductible donation through U.S. Patriot Sailing.

After attending the Metstrade show in Amsterdam, Jane and I traveled to France to check in on the build progress. JPS Production, the shop building the new Mini, is located in La Trinité-sur-Mer. This small coastal town is the same place where I kept Terminal Leave for three years so we know it well. We met with Sam Manuard (left), the naval architect behind this design, and Nicolas Groleau (right) who is building the boat with his team at JPS.

When we arrived the mold was sitting on wood plug and they were getting ready to lift it off! The mold with all the support frames looked massive. When I first saw the whole set up, I thought it was a different boat!

The JPS team lifted the mold with a combination of chains connected to the building support structure and a fork lift. Then, gently slid it back and lowered to the ground on shop dollies.

The next real challenge was lifting the mold over and the team did an excellent job.

Watching the mold rotate through the air was surreal. It is not everyday you get to see this process and this was certainly a first for me.

This was our first chance to see the project taking shape in person—and it turned out to be one of the most exciting days of the entire campaign.

A huge thank you to the entire team at JPS Production for giving us the time, access, and technical insight during the visit. Their expertise and passion are evident in every step.

And for everyone following along at @pgnoceanracing on Instagram, check out the Reels from this visit—they capture the motion and energy of the day far better than still photos ever could.

Join the Mission — New Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

Sailing Terminal Leave in Annapolis this October (Photo Credit: Matt Ellis)

Looking Ahead — The 2027 Mission

While the last campaign focused on raising awareness for U.S. Patriot Sailing, this new mission is about expanding support — enabling the organization to create even more opportunities for veterans.

One major goal of U.S. Patriot Sailing is to introduce a cruising platform where veterans and their families can share calm, restorative experiences on the water — a vital way to strengthen connection and healing.

U.S. Patriot Sailing remains 100% volunteer-run, accomplishing its mission solely through the generous support of individual donors and grants. Together, we can make this next phase possible.

Donate HERE to support the U.S. Patriot Sailing team.

From raising awareness to expanding support — together, we’re building more opportunities for veterans.

Follow the Mission

As this campaign builds momentum, please makes sure you are following along and stay connected:

Website: www.pgnoceanracing.com
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube (@pgnoceanracing)
- Instagram usually has the most frequent and quick updates!
Donate: You can support this new campaign with a tax deductible donation through U.S. Patriot Sailing — helping not only this mission, but also the veterans this organization serves. You can choose where your donation goes exactly: support a local team, this 2027 Mini Transat campaign, or the organization at large. Donate HERE

The support for the 2023 Mini Transat was the foundation for everything we’ve achieved so far. I hope you will be part of the adventure as we set out for this new mission.