White Cap Video - While Ryan was in Newport, Paul Cronin from White Cap Video Productions shot some footage of Ryan and his Mini.

Bermuda 1-2 - Ryan and fellow New Orlean Clark Thompson won the inaugural Mini Class in the Bermuda 1-2

Billy Black Photos - Sailing photographer Billy Black shot some photos of Ryan and his Mini prior to the start of the Bermuda 1-2

Prior to Purchase - Boatyard in Michigan

Refit - Cat 5 Composites, New Orleans

Sailing - Lake Ponchartrain, New Orleans

Less than a year since I delivered the Owen Clarke designed Open 50 Artforms to France with Kip Stone, I'm off again with Kip. This time our destination is St. Malo,. France where the eighth edition of the Route du Rhum starts. Kip will be the only American competitor in the race, joining eighty eight other solo skippers when they depart on Oct 29th onboard their 40, 50 and 60 foot monohulls, 50 and 60 foot multihulls, bound for Guadeloupe.

My dream of owning a Mini 650 finally came true when I purchased Mini 252 through the Mini Yacht Exchange in March 2006. With the help of Cat 5 Composites in New Orleans, I am rebuilding the boat and plan to use her for training and is also excited about racing her in future events.

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After completing the delivery to Europe on Artforms, I returned to the United States for a family visit in Indiana. Upon leaving Indiana, my plan was to drive down to New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina hit. In transit, I received a phone call from Paul Metcalf, who had just lost his second skipper and was looking for a replacement to sail with him in the 2005 Transat Jacques Vabre. I quickly accepted the offer, left my car in Atlanta, Georgia and hopped on a plan to Portugal. It was an unforgettable experience and I am thankful Paul allowed me to see a part of the world I’d never seen before.

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It has been a huge learning experience working with Kip Stone on his Owen Clarke designed Open 50 Artforms. He has been a great mentor to me and has allowed me to accrue thousands of offshore miles on the wonderful Artforms. In October 2005, Kip and I delivered Artforms from Maine to Europe. I look forward to working and sailing with him in the future.

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__MAY '04 • RYAN VISITS CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS • KIDS DECORATE SPINNAKER

In 2004 my father loaned me his J90, Surfinn, to compete in the Singlehanded Transpac. I used the race as an opportunity to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Before the race I met with cancer patients at several children’s hospitals and let the kids decorate a spinnaker I used in the race.