FIRSTLY, people might like to know that I will be featured on Channel 4 at 6.35am tomorrow when Offshore Academy will document my selection as part of a 16-strong sailing team for the Artemis Offshore Academy.

It might be a case of setting alarms and tape-recording it, but it should hopefully be an interesting watch.

Since joining the Artemis Offshore Academy in early November, time has literally flown by. Already we have had two weeks of training in La Grande Motte in the south of France, one week with Franck and the French guys and then a week with Mike Hart our coach who comes over from the UK.

When training our days are long; it can be hard work, but when you remind yourself you're in the south of France, getting to sail full time, it does kind of take the edge off the tiredness.

My alarm goes off at 7.20am in the morning and, after two snoozes, I eventually make my way out of my warm, cosy bed around 7.30am.

After a quick bite to eat, it's then off for the early morning fitness session with the guys.

This involves either a run, swim or session in the gym; we try and vary this as much as possible to get a varied programme. I am trying to do as much running as possible, as it is a particular weak point for me as I generally don't like going for a run.

I would much rather go for a swim or gym by choice.

For some reason, however, I don't seem to mind running too much here.

It might be the fact we are in the south of France and I run along a beautiful, beach front but who knows?

By 8.30am, we normally head down to the town centre for our briefing.

To get into the Parisian lifestyle, this now includes a compulsory stop at our favourite cafe 'Au Fournil du Port' for a croissant and coffee and to pick up the day's baguette for lunch out on the water.

As a huge peanut butter fan, lunches are quite easy for me!

I will, of course, be reporting on my progress soon via the Chronicle.