Listen to the New Episode!
Sharing my Story with Andy Schell
Check out my most recent interview with the On the Wind Podcast by 59° North Sailing, one of the world's largest and longest-running sailing podcasts.
This is my third time joining Andy, and we dive into why I launched this new campaign, the process of building Resolve, and what it was like to finally get the boat sailing.
We caught up just before the Annapolis Sailboat Show, and as always, Andy did a great job balancing the technical side of offshore sailing with a deeper conversation about the motivation and purpose behind this campaign, including my work with U.S. Patriot Sailing.
If you want to explore my previous two episodes with him, you can find them here with all my podcast interviews.
I first started listening to the On the Wind podcast back in 2019 during my commute from Annapolis to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Between the car ride and metro, I could usually knock out an entire episode each way. At this point it had been almost an entire decade since I had sailed offshore and initially I felt like I had lost so much knowledge. However, as I started listening to more stories and experiences, it all started coming back fast. Thinking through different scenarios actually helped shaped my offshore philosophy and approach to sailing as I started up my first Mini Transat campaign.
The first time I saw Andy Schell, the host of this podcast, was actually in August 2021. I remember this because we sailed right by him in Ireland!
Jane and I were finishing a delivery on the first Mini, Terminal Leave, from La Trinité-sur-Mer, France to Kinsale, Ireland. I did not have a visa and had to sail out of the Schengen zone to stop my clock in order to complete my 1,000 nautical mile solo qualification sail (I still have that update posted here!)
The Swan 59 Icebear was sailing out of the Kinsale harbor setting off on a long passage as we just happened to be sailing into the harbor. We waved, said hello, and Andy yelled across inviting me to come on the podcast.
59° North’s Swan 59 “Icebear” departing Kinsale, Ireland in 2021
During our first episode together, it was winter back in Annapolis after completing my first season of Mini 6.50 racing in France. I had learned a lot that season, but sill had a long way to go as I was still discovering the boat.
Our second episode was recorded after finishing the 2023 Mini Transat. We were back in Annapolis, recording together this time down below on a friend’s boat, and went into detail about breaking the rudder during race. At that time I was putting the pieces together for this next campaign, but had not launched it officially yet.
I really hope you enjoy this third conversation together! If you want me to get back on Andy’s podcast, make sure to let him know and leave a review when you listen.
Approaching Kinsale, Ireland on Terminal Leave in 2021 to prepare for 1,000 nm solo qualification sail
Jane helped deliver the Mini from France to Ireland, and back to France after the completion of the solo qualifier. Jane has sailed over 2,000 nm offshore on Terminal Leave and put in countless days of boat work over the years. Thank you!!!! (Photo taken in the the Celtic Sea during that 2021 delivery)
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More Updates Coming this Week
After finishing the Annapolis Sailboat Show and flying back to France, it has been a busy few weeks! We launched and sailed 1137 Resolve for the second time now and I cannot wait to share more about that experience soon. It certainly deserves its own blog post though.
There's still a tremendous amount of work ahead as we focus on fundraising, boat preparations, and sailing.
Please remember, none of this would be possible without the companies and individuals who have already stepped forward to support the campaign.
Thank you again to everyone who has supported us, whether through a sponsorship, donation, introduction, or simply following along. It all makes a difference.
If you'd like to support the veteran community through U.S. Patriot Sailing, tax-deductible donations can be made directly to the nonprofit using the link below.
Also listen to my interview with the team at Bar Karate in Australia where we discuss the new Mini 6.50 Resolve and what goes into a Mini Transat campaign.
Check out the videos of the first flight from 1137 RESOLVE!
Check out the article published by SAIL Magazine!
Become a Part of This Campaign!
Support this campaign by helping us launch with a tax deductible donation
As we enter the final stage of building this new proto, there is a long list of essential equipment and parts that must go into the boat. While we have some strong initial backing to start the build the boat, and have lowered the overall costs through support from technical partners, but there are still many things we could use your support with!
If you donate to sponsor a part of the boat, we can add your name to it and give you (or your company) shout outs during the installation and the sailing over the next two seasons!
Send me an email and let’s get you on the boat!
Email: peter@pgnoceanracing.com
Check out the CCA article that was published in their Voyages magazine
We are racing to Brazil!
The upcoming Mini Transat starts in September 2027 with 90 Minis crossing the starting line in La Rochelle, France. The fleet will set off to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canaries for a stop over, then race to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.
This is exciting for the Classe Mini 6.50 fleet since now we will be crossing both the Atlantic Ocean and equator in the same race. This revived route is already a part of the long history of the race, because it had previously been used six times from 2001-2011.
Check out the new race website:
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.
New design, new challenge, same mission-driven commitment
Questions? Want to support?
Reach out out to peter@pgnoceanracing.com and jane@pgnoceanracing.com
Watch the video below to learn why I’ve decided to compete in the Mini Transat again:
Is your club, organization, or company interested in hearing about this new mission?
