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What drives someone to leave everything behind and race solo across an ocean? Five years ago, Amber Hassan didn't know how to sail. Today, she's preparing to cross the Atlantic alone in one of sailing's most challenging races. Her journey from New York professional to offshore racer began during the pandemic when she escaped to the Florida Keys and discovered an unexpected passion that would completely transform her life.

Amber shares the pivotal moment when watching the Vendée Globe (a solo around-the-world race) sparked something deep within her despite having just learned basic sailing skills. "I was like, what is that? I want to do that," she recalls, despite her instructors pointing out she had just learned to tack the day before. This unwavering determination has defined her remarkable five-year journey.

The path hasn't been smooth. After working in boatyards to save money for her racing boat, she faced a devastating setback when her vessel was wrecked during her 1,000-mile qualifying voyage. The boat's keel pierced through the hull as waves pushed her onto rocks near port. Rather than give up, Amber channeled her frustration into helping fellow racers while planning her comeback with a new boat appropriately named "On The Road Again 2."

Now she's just weeks away from the start of the Mini Transat on September 21st – a race that will take her from France to the Canaries and eventually to Guadeloupe. Her 21-foot boat has no engine, no bed, and no toilet – just the essentials for survival and speed. "It's like camping," she explains of the minimalist offshore racing experience.

What makes Amber's story so compelling isn't just the rapid acceleration of her sailing career, but her perspective on pursuing dreams regardless of the conventional path. "If there's something you want to do and you're a little bit scared, the first step is the scariest part. After that, you'll just figure it out." Follow Amber's Atlantic journey on Instagram @amber_sails or support her final preparations through her GoFundMe page.

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SALTY ABANDON: Cap'n Tinsley, Orange Beach, AL:
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