With all the efforts made so far since the beginning of my project in 2008, I now understand what perseverance, steadfastness and resistance in the effort to keep moving towards the coveted goal despite obstacles and embarrassment that stand in the road.

I got on my bike, on December 4th, left my doorstep, helmet in hand, smiling. Seconds later, after just four strides, I slipped and fell to the ground. At the very moment my forearm crashed into the ground, I felt the bone fragment under the impact of my fall. My arm, twisted, required treatment and all I could think of was how I was going to manage to the Atlantic in a rowing boat!

After a few days in hospital and a short stay in the operating room, I found myself with my arm trapped in a cast for 7 weeks. For two months I could not answer the fateful question of whether my arm would be ready in May to allow me to row with rigour for 100 days. When my arm was released from its barbaric prison, it felt weird, almost as if it no longer belonged to me, unresponsive to any commands. Since late January, I have been working to rehabilitate my withered arm to restore its shape, strength and function.

To complete the project safely, I must be able to perform at 110% and not depend on anyone physically. Today, I still need help just to open a jar of mustard! In an emergency during the row, procedures require that I be able to lift a load of 80 kg and now, even after the rehabilitation work, it's a completely unrealistic exercise. Based on current progress, I hope to return to moderate training in April or May.

So, I have chosen to postpone my expedition in May 2013.
Why twelve more months? Because my departure requires a small weather window of two weeks sometime between mid-May to mid-June to allow me to cross the ocean at the speed imposed by my boat. Even if my arm were to be ready in July, the ocean would not allow me to complete the crossing.

These extra twelve months will enable me to better prepare myself. Having benefitted from the summer of 2011 by challenging myself to take off with my boat, I will now use this summer to complete my training as a navigator. I will meet from the ocean and sail with a crew aboard a yacht. Six weeks on the rough, frigid waters of the North Atlantic will serve as an optimal preparation and even more appropriate. When I think of all the experience I gained last year by rowing from Montreal to the Magdalen Islands, I cannot imagine the experience that I'll get between France, the great north and Quebec for six weeks of sailing on the ocean that I have dreamed of crossing for so long. This new experience will strengthen my chances of success for my own crossing.

Resilience can mean being more persistent, adjusting and taking advantage of every situation. I think I have the ability to bounce back and see things positively even during difficult times. To postpone the row to next year no longer worries me, I know I will succeed; it is only a matter of time.

So I will always be there to honor our contract together, I plan to contact my fans soon via email and send them news from the boat this summer, before doing so in 2013!

Follow my adventures on my blog all the way on the St.Lawrence River

www.mylenepaquette.blogspot.com

See you soon!

It's great, I finally broke my egg with my Ulule! I reached $ 5,000!

What experience it was to do my project on Ulule! Thank you all for being a part of my adventure and to be my companion on my amazing epic! I hope to make you live the adventure from my rowing seat directly form the ocean and I hope to make you live the emotions with each reading!

Thank you all, I will try to correspond with you very personally, do not hesitate to contact me during the voyage or during the preparations.

Many thanks especially to my friend Francois Vincent!

Let me explain where it all began ... Last August, I visited my Peta in southern England. At the same time, my friend Francois sent me a message for me to let me know about this new website called Ulule which promotes various projects and by which we could also fund our own. Initially, I set aside this project cause at first it appeared to me a little complicated. But with a project funded about a guy who wanted to shave, I told myself I could do a project just a little more attractive! Ha ha!

Being unable to leave London for a few days because I was patiently waiting for a seat to become available to cross the Atlantic by plane, I started my project form the airport. Installed in my mobile office at Heathrow, on my trolley luggage, I worked on my files and I finally took the time to think about this nasty little owl exchanging emails with Cedric from Ulule in Paris. On the plane, above the Atlantic, so I thought about interesting counterparties and arriving in Montreal my project could finally be launched.

Cedric at Ulule was my first supporter! Cedric thank you for having responded to my many emails and questions! To know this famous Cedric, you just have to set up a project you too! ;)
I am therefore very pleased for having now 105 supporters in the boat with me!
In May, I’ll be adding the names of my supporters on my boat. I'll also take a picture of my work and send them to everyone.

I am very happy with my adventure on Ulule! I should very soon keep you informed through another blog. I will try to always update my blog and send you the details by mail.

Thank you very much