Before going at sea you have to be well prepared. My skills are from coastal sailing, with beach and ocean going catamarans, windsurfing and small boat cruising. Mostly i do sailing on the swiss lakes and in southern France (Golfe du Lion) which I have known since my childhood. With the Mistral and Tramontana I have good conditions for training. 2023 will be the year to go ahead with preparation for the long cruise. To be save on the oceans I have passed the World Sailing Safety Trainings (ISAF) held by Christian Kargl – a well known Minitransat sailor. Next step was to pass the swiss ocean licence exam (Hochseeschein). I completed the theoretical part early 2023. Soon i will pass the medical first aid at sea STCW A-VI/4-1 course.

The membership with Trans Ocean (https://www.trans-ocean.org/) is highly recommended for bluewater sailors preparing for an Atlantic voyage.
They offer me very good seminars on cruising topics, weather and safety aspects.

There are more skills needed to prepare for the races. For example from the physical side I do marathons, yoga and fitness. Not to forget practice practice practice with my ClassGlobe 5.80 and being underway in the mediterranean and atlantic.