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lepegeto · 5 years ago

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UB’19

“And in the space of a few short hours, life had been reduced from a highly complex existence, with a thousand petty problems, to one of the barest simplicity in which only one real task remained—the achievement of the goal.” ―Alfred Lansing, Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage

Hetek óta készültem az UB-re nemcsak futással, hanem szervezéssel is. Tizenegy fős csapattal a logisztika bonyolultabb volt, mint maga a futás. Három autóval mentünk, az enyémnek 15 megállója volt a Balaton körül.

Aztán szombat délután megérkeztünk Balatonfüredre, és megszűnt a külvilág. Elrajtoltattuk Lacit, és kicsit lógtunk egy gyönyörű tihanyi kertben. Az első váltás flottul ment Vászolyon - kicsi falu egy eldugott völgyben.

Második futónk, Balázs, 19 kilométert futott Köveskálig. Ott már nagyobb volt a tülekedés, de bőven időben leparkoltunk és sétáltunk egyet a faluban. Leültünk a váltóponttal szemben kávézni és sörözni, amikor megvillant egy ismerős póló: “Gyerekek, az ott nem a Balázs?” Kapkodás, fényvisszaverő csíkok, fejlámpa föl, harmadik futónk, Tomy, el. Balázs 19 percet hozott a tervezett időhöz képest, ami 19 kilométeren táltos sebesség. Érthetően nem örült, hogy ő kifutja a lelkét, mi meg hosszú perceket elvesztegetünk a töketlenkedésünkkel. De minden ok, megtanultuk a leckét. (Majdnem.)

Innentől az én autómnak nem volt dolga, elmentünk aludni Balatonberénybe. Kerestünk vacsorát, ami a kihalt faluban nem volt könnyű. Mindkét közeli étterem a meghirdetett idő előtt be akart zárni, nem lévén vendég. Az egyiket sikerült meggyőznünk, hogy mi vagyunk azok.

Két-három órát sikerült aludnom, a sötétben, esőben futó csapattagjainkra gondolva. Hajnali 2-kor kelés, egy koffeines gél kávé helyett, és irány Balatonmáriafürdő. Rendesen bemelegítettem egy kis kocogással és dinamikus nyújtásokkal. Hat perc alatti tempóban ment a laza kocogás, éreztem, hogy jó lesz a sebesség. Épp befejeztem a melegítést, amikor megjött Ágó. Indulás!

Az elején kicsit szarakodtam a chippel, megálltam, hogy végre fel tudjam tenni, aztán kilőttem. 4:30-5:00 közötti tempóban, figyeltem, nem lesz-e túl gyors. De hamar beálltam egy konstans ritmusra lépésszámban és légzésben. Erős volt, nem bírtam volna két óráig, de csak egyig kellett.

Teljes sötétség, enyhén vizes aszfalt, alig héhány futó itt-ott. Kellemes hűvös. Sikerült végig, teljesen egyenletesen 5 perc alatti tempót tartanom. Sosem futottam ennyire egyenletesen, esetleg még “félmaratonista” koromban. A lábaim mentek, mint a gép. A tüdőm azért tiltakozott, de úgy voltam vele, hogyha nem úgy érek be, hogy “aztakurva!,” akkor nem futottam elég gyorsan.

Úgy értem be. Utána levezettem 10 perc kocogással, és átgurultunk Balatonboglárra. Következő futónk, Bodó, 4:40 körüli kilométereket futott, de ez már nem ért minket váratlanul. Balázs leváltotta, mi pedig Bodóval lenyomtunk egy hosszú nyújtást a balatoni napfelkeltében. Inkább hívjuk fényfelkeltének, mert ugyan gyönyörű fényeket láttunk, napot nem.

Átautóztunk Szárszóra, a kihalt M7-esen bömböltettük a colorStart és a Kispált. Második futásom Szárszótól indult. (Bocs, Kriszta, hogy nem vettelek észre, semmi más nem járt a fejemben, mint izmok, frissítés, idő.) Balázs megint korábban jött, de legalább a helyemen voltam. A pulóvert és hosszúnadrágot úgy kellett lerángatnom magamról, bemelegítésre nem maradt idő.

A korábbi tempómban indultam el, de éreztem, hogy ez most nem fog 10-11 kilométeren keresztül menni. Vagy a bemelegítés hiánya, vagy mert nem hoztam magammal vizet, vagy csak simán fáradtabb voltam. 5:10-5:15 körül mentek a kilométerek, ez is jó lesz.

A végén a zamárdi parton eső és szél fogadott. Meg persze a többiek. Megint levezetés, és végre száraz ruha. Legközelebb már csak délután 1 körül futok. Jó volt végre a másik két autóval is találkozni, elengedni magunkat, miközben valaki mindig viszi előre a chipet. Bodó PB-t akart futni 10 kilométeren, drukkoltam neki, hogy sikerüljön, csak azzal nem számolt, hogy van közben egy domb. De mindenki nagyon odatette magát.

Harmadik futásom a befutó volt, Csopaktól. Nem lógtunk tovább a többiekkel, hanem jó előre átmentünk Csopakra, hogy minden a helyén legyen. Kerestünk ebédet, de fél 12-kor ez lehetetlennek bizonyult. (Szerintem szólni kéne a helyi vendéglátósoknak, hogy UB lesz, nekik is megéri is kinyitni. Egyedül a balatonboglári büfés érzett rá erre, hajnali 5-kor mindent lehetett kapni.)

A többiek elmentek tovább vadászni, én már készülődni akartam, hogy ne járjak úgy, mint Szárszón. Tökéletesen sikerült ráhangolódnom a váltásra. Hengereztem (életem legjobb hengerezése, a Balatonpart kárpótolt a fájdalomért), szundítottam egy fél órát, kicsit bemelegítettem, ettem egy gélt.

Arieda 12:55-kor jött be, vagy 200 métert együtt futottunk, de még ő csippantott le. Az előző futásből tanulva már csak 5:30-ra lőttem, aztán meglátjuk mi lesz. Az lett, hogy elég jól ment, még az enyhe emelkedőn sem volt sokkal lassabb 5 percnél.

Előzgettem az egyéni futókat, próbáltam ezt a legnagyobb tisztelettel tenni. Ennyi idő és kilométer után bármi és annak ellenkezője is idegesítő lehet, ezért mindig zavarban voltam, hogy most köszönjek, szurkoljak vagy maradjak kussban. Randomizáltam, hol így, hol úgy.

Arácsnál jött egy gyönyörű lejtő, velem szemben a Balaton, a nap süt, a gravitáció visz lefele. Itt 4:30-at sikerült futnom, éreztem, hogy megint jó minden. Toltam, hogy csak egy “aztakurva” maradjon a végére.

21 óra 41 perc alatt tettük meg a kört, nagyon büszke vagyok minden csapattagunkra, beleértve magamat is. Már értem, miért addiktív az UB. Fantasztikus volt, hogy egy teljes napig egyetlen közös cél körül forgott minden.

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domingobonnin · 7 years ago

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31 de Desembre de 2017.

«En la periferia brillante de una galaxia mediana, en medio de un mar oscuro donde flota nuestro mundo.

Tú, que vienes a rondarme como los nueve planetas, parece que cuando bailas llueven miles de cometas.»

Finals dels anys 70. La NASA i Carl Sagan decideixen gravar un disc on s’hi recopila la informació necessaria per un suposat “primer contacte” en cas que alguna civilització extraterrestre s’interessi pel que passa al nostre planeta. Aquest disc, on s’hi poden trobar els elements més representatius de la humanitat -o els que ells varen considerar- es va acoplar a la sonda espacial Voyager, que des de l’any 1977 “va rondant” per l’espai. Una de les primeres coses que es senten en començar la cançó que encapçala aquest post és un sample de la citada sonda, una cançó que vaig descobrir a finals de març quan, després d’escoltar l’Omega d’Enrique Morente i Lagartija Nick -quina casualitat més guapa-, un amic em va passar l'enllaç de la cançó que encapçala aquest post, Tú que vienes a rondarme, el primer avançament del nou treball de Maria Arnal i Marcel Bagés. Un tema que s’ha convertit en, per a mi, el tema de l’any 2017. També el que més vegades dec haver escoltat, pensat i tararejat.

Poc temps després va sortir el disc sencer, 45 cerebros y 1 corazón. Vos recoman escoltar-lo. En el meu cas ha format part de la banda sonora del meu any juntament amb altres com ara -per dir-ne uns- Cala Vento, i no és per menys. La veu de Maria Arnal i les guitarres de Marcel Bagés són un tàndem que encara està per esclatar. Un altre exemple al darrer videoclip, del tema que dóna nom al disc:

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Abans de tot això no havia sentit parlar d’ells, però és igual, els avantatges de l’era digital en què vivim hi són per alguna cosa. Vaig començar a cercar, primer a Youtube, a través del qual arrib al seu Bandcamp, on veig que, abans del disc que en poc temps treurien, ja havien fet dos EPs: Remescles, acoples i melismes (2015) i Verbena (2016). I ara és quan m’arribà la segona sorpresa del dia: tot i que ara mateix sembla que la seva tendència és d’anar cap al repertori original, llegint els crèdits dels discs i alguna descripció de vídeo de Youtube, resulta que gran part del seu repertori fins aleshores són adaptacions de cants de treball i altres gravacions duites a terme per Alan Lomax als anys 50.

I qui va ser n’Alan Lomax? Idò tot un personatge. Un etnomusicòleg nord-americà que es va dedicar a recórrer el món enregistrant la música tradicional en la seva essència i en la seva puresa, és a dir, allà on sorgia amb tota la espontaneïtat possible en aquell moment, dins dels cantars de treball, cel·lebracions, conversacions o on fos. I era talment així. Imaginau que sou a Sóller, l’any 1952. Formau part d’un grup de pagesos que, com cada dia, surt a treballar en sortir el sol. Tot dins la normalitat. Però un dia arriba un personatge des de l’altra punta del món amb un aparell que vos diu que és per enregistrar els vostres cants mentres feinejau. Totes aquestes gravacions, juntament amb moltes altres d’arreu del planeta, es poden escoltar a la web de l’associació Cultural Equity, impulsada pel mateix Lomax per a difondre la seva tasca. L’arxiu citat de Sóller es pot escoltar clicant aquí, tot i que també hi ha altres arxius fets a Mallorca, per exemple a Palma, Consell o Valldemossa, juntament amb altres d’altres indrets de la Península aquí. Al següent vídeo, un exemple de cançó d’aquest arxiu adaptada per Maria Arnal i Marcel Bagés:

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A més, el que jo no sabia de Lomax és que durant tota la seva vida, a més de fer un arxiu sonor que no té preu, gravant a gent de tot el món documentant la part més autèntica de la música tradicional de per tot on podia, a la darrera etapa als anys 70 i 80 també va enregistrar en vídeo, passejant-se per diferents zones dels Estats Units, arribant a meravelles com aquesta:

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Tot aquest arxiu de Lomax, juntament amb un altre disc referent dins de la música tradicional mallorquina, No dóna gran cosa més l’agre de la terra, de Tramudança, també ha estat aprofitat per Joana Gomila Folk Souvenir (Bubota Discos, 2017), qui també signen un dels discs que marquen un abans i un després dins de la nostra música tradicional, per la innovació i fusió que comporta, emprant des de samples de l’arxiu de Lomax i Tramudança fins a sintetitzadors, ambients de gravacions costumistes i guitarres plenes d’efectes, tocs de jazz i versions d’Antònia Font -els quals d’aquí 100 anys els mallorquins i mallorquines que encara parlin català cantaran i ballaran als esdeveniments culturals i festius que derivin de les ballades populars, les verbenes o alguna cosa així, i si no vos ho creis, ja ho veureu-.

Aquí la Cançó des desbarats, on Joana Gomila Folk Souvenir fusionen un sample de la cançó del mateix nom del ja comentat disc de Tramudança, interpretat per l’amo en Tomeu Brunet de Can Falera, amb una reinterpretació de Holidays, d’Antònia Font:

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El disc sencer es pot escoltar a Spotify i també al següent enllaç: https://bubotadiscos.bandcamp.com/album/folk-souvenir.

El mateix camí de la innovació i la recerca dins de la música tradicional, o potser no tant tradicional com arrelada dins de la societat del País Basc, és el que han agafat Delorean al seu darrer disc, Mikel Laboa, un homenatge al mític cantautor basc que dóna nom al treball que ara mateix estan presentant amb el pertinent espectacle. I és que el fet que hagin aparcat la música apta per xapar pistes de ball per a fer una electrònica més tranquil·la i fins i tot ambiental amb les veus de Mikel Laboa, en el meu cas ha estat una gran sorpresa, ja que els hi havia perdut la pista des de feia anys.

Un exemple del disc, el tema de Kantuz:

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La música tradicional és i serà sempre la que és, amb uns patrons, unes formes i un concepte molt marcat, i així és com s’encarreguen de conservar-la les nombroses agrupacions que podem trobar arreu de qualsevol territori, ja sigui amb més obertura estilística o menys. Per admirables i importants que siguin treballs com l’arxiu d’Alan Lomax i la important tasca de conservar la música tradicional en la seva ortodòxia, també em pareix necessari i productiu artísticament que es passi de tant en tant per un procés de revisió. Una revisió en la què, dins un context determinat, es puguin tenir en compte el moment en el qual vivim, unes inquietuts o un projecte artístic que pot marcar la diferència i crear nous referents.

El fet que hi hagi gent que en dugui a terme una renovació, en la meva opinió pot fer que la música tradicional transcendeixi d’una manera més profunda, cosa necessària si realment volem que es conservi de veritat. Quanta gent s'hi pot haver atracat -inclús sense saber-ho- després d’escoltar alguns dels temes de Maria Arnal i Marcel Bagés? Ells i els altres comentats durant aquest post només són alguns exemples, però també hi podem sumar molts més projectes de diferents estils com el de Rosalía & Refree, A Vore, Ressonadors, Gener, Rufaca Folk Jazz Orchestra -on també canta na Joana Gomila-, Boc i moltíssima més gent que podríem anomenar però la llista se'ns faria massa llarga, ara no em passa pel cap o potser no conec.

A qui sigui que hagi arribat llegint fins aquí… moltes gràcies!

Domingo Bonnín Oliver

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watchilove · 4 years ago

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Le Locle, 15 June 2020 – WHILE MOST OF THE MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS THIS YEAR HAVE BEEN CANCELLED, ULYSSE NARDIN HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS THE OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER FOR ONE OF THE RARE SPORTING COMPETITIONS STILL ON THE CALENDAR FOR SUMMER 2020: THE OCEAN RACE QUALIFIER FOR THE VENDEE GLOBE, THE “VENDEE-ARCTIQUE-LES-SABLES D’OLONNE”.

A ‘FOREWORD’ TO THE HISTORY OF THE VENDEE GLOBE

In November 2019, Ulysse Nardin announced that it would be getting involved with the most gruelling solo sailing race; an epic challenge: the Vendée Globe solo non-stop yacht race around the world without assistance. In the spirit that unites it with the intrepid explorers and adventurers of this world, Ulysse Nardin is now giving some thought to its partnership with “The Everest of the Sea” by becoming the official timekeeper of a major first, the Vendée-Arctique-Les-Sables d’Olonne, launching 4 July – the final race before the Vendée Globe. Northwards!

Photo credits: Yvan Zedda, Défi Azimut

A UNIQUE AND DEMANDING POST-LOCKDOWN RACE

The first sporting event to be resumed after lockdown, the Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d’Olonne has a cheerful and optimistic message. Most of the competitors have not been able to go sailing for several months given the situation, so are keener than ever to take the helm and make some waves. Exploration of the sea and self-exploration as the only outlook. Preparing for the biggest challenge of their lives in extreme sporting conditions. They won’t be waiting much longer, as the start date is in the diary in under 3 weeks’ time, 4 July 2020. 3,600 nautical miles (approx. 6,600 kilometres) solo, on an innovative route around a large triangle culminating near the Arctic Circle (60°N), passing through Iceland’s volcanic region and the deep blue of the Azores. Before flirting with the 60°S during the Vendée Globe, the IMOCA Class skippers are going to venture far north for the first time: solo, non-stop and without assistance. Ten to 12 days sailing in sea conditions little known to skippers. But that’s not all! There will be no night-time in the middle of summer when approaching the Arctic Circle. It’s sure to play havoc with the sailors’ body clocks and really put them to the test beneath a sky that never sleeps. This race will effortlessly convey values dear to the watchmaking Manufacture: nature, excelling oneself and exploration. Just like the Vendée Globe, the Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d’Olonne is not for those who doubt their capability. This is a competition only for those sailors who are ready to push their limits, confront their fears and the incredible force of nature in order to complete an epic adventure, their own Odyssey. A unique preparatory ‘prologue’ to experience the kind of stormy and wild conditions encountered during the Vendée Globe. This short race will allow skippers to test boats just back from the yard and for some to qualify for the Vendée Globe. A real mental and technical ‘warm-up’ to test their limits and break in their boats, approve any changes, enter into the spirit of the Vendée Globe and qualify.

THE ULYSSE NARDIN CHALLENGE: A RACE IN A RACE TO CELEBRATE AN ALREADY LEGENDARY ROUTE

The IMOCA Class and Vendée Globe Race Management have been working side by side to replace the two solo transatlantic races that due to the COVID-19 crisis could not take place as planned in the spring. Originally, the IMOCA Globe Series championship included two transatlantic races at the start of the 2020 season: the Transat CIC in May (Brest-Charleston) that got cancelled, followed by the Transat New York-Vendée-Les Sables d’Olonne, which has been reinvented, giving rise to this unique route to the Arctic.

Through their partnership, the IMOCA Class and Ulysse Nardin have decided to add an extra dimension to this adventure in the far north by creating the Ulysse Nardin Challenge: a race within a race to reward the 1st skipper-adventurer to pass the COI-UNESCO Waypoint (66°34 N-25 W). Very fitting for a watch brand born out of nautical navigation instruments. The first to achieve this milestone will receive a lucky Ulysse Nardin 44mm blue DIVER, a call to adventure strapped to the wrist.

The route is triangular in shape. One of the basic shapes in geometry, the triangle evokes the symbolism of the number 3. In many traditions, it reflects the notions of determination, power and fire, as well as stability and balance in architecture. You can see three important crossing points for skippers, three virtual beacons for the race’s three “science and literature partners”: The Pasteur Institute, COI-UNESCO and Éditions Galimard.

“Ulysses conveys images and above all, stories that have permeated western culture. The character is over 2,000 years old, featuring in Homer’s work, in the Iliad, then in the Odyssey. He is in a boat. He has the most incredible adventures at sea. The sirens’ song… the Cyclops… Ulysses is ingenious, cunning, extraordinarily clever. He thinks faster and above and beyond others. He is an adventurer. He knows how to wait, he knows how to persevere, he is courageous, he enjoys discovering and exploring. Those lining up for the Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d’Olonne embody the values of Ulysse Nardin: courage, temerity, adventure and selflessness. They are “Ulysses” too. Says Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Ulysse Nardin.

“We are delighted to welcome Ulysse Nardin on board as Official Timekeeper of the Vendée-Arctique-Les-Sables d’Olonne. It is a collaboration in keeping with the partnership that the brand has with the Vendée Globe”, said Antoine Mermod, President of the IMOCA Class. “The prologue to the solo round the world race, this event – designed with this unique journey to the Arctic Circle – will attract skippers and their boats while taking them on a real sea voyage. What better brand than Ulysse Nardin, which speaks to adventurers, to support us in this major first for the IMOCA fleet.”

NO PONTOON, NO PUBLIC

Of course, everything is being done to protect skippers and the event team is adapting to the current health context. Among other things, a strict 5-day confinement period is planned before the racers set off, as well as serological testing. There will be no departure village on site, or public reception. The sailors are invited to go straight to the starting line from their home port, without passing by the pontoons. The arrival plan may be more flexible if the situation allows it, but for now, the precautionary approach dictates a strict framework and organisation focused on the competitors, on safety and 100% digital communication.

“Ironically enough, the sailors should be experts in confinement, owing to their experience solo sailing on the open sea” reveals Françoise BEZZOLA, Marketing Director at Ulysse Nardin. “What the sailors experience during their time at sea is strangely reminiscent of the confinement that we have just gone through“ she adds.

About Ulysse Nardin – Manufacture of Freedom

Ulysse Nardin is the Pioneering Manufacture inspired by the sea and delivering innovative timepieces to free spirits.

Founded by Mr. Ulysse Nardin in 1846 and a proud member of the global luxury group Kering since November 2014, Ulysse Nardin has written some of the finest chapters in the history of Haute Horlogerie. The company’s earliest renown came from its links to the nautical world: its marine chronometers are among the most reliable ever made, still sought by collectors around the world. A pioneer of cutting-edge technologies and the innovative use of materials like silicium, the brand is one of the few with the in-house expertise to produce its own high-precision components and movements. This exceptional level of watchmaking excellence has earned Ulysse Nardin membership in the most exclusive circle of Swiss watchmaking, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. Today, from its sites in Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, the brand’s continuing quest for horological perfection centers around five collections: The Marine, the Diver, the Classico, the Executive and the Freak. In 2020, Ulysse Nardin explores the Xtremes, bringing the X-factor to the core of its collections. www.ulysse-nardin.com

About the Vendée – Arctique – Les Sables d’Olonne

Due to the COVID-19 global health crisis, the second edition of the New York – Vendée – Les Sables d’Olonne could not be held as planned. The race organised by the IMOCA Class and orchestrated by the Sea to See society has been totally revised to offer racers a new route equivalent to a transatlantic distance: Vendée – Arctic – Les Sables d’Olonne. The qualifier for the Vendée Globe gives IMOCA Class sailors the opportunity to take on the high seas alone one last time, on a large Atlantic loop leading to Iceland at the Arctic Circle. For them, it is a real dress rehearsal for the Vendée Globe in the autumn.

Vendée – Arctique – Les Sables d’Olonne

About the Vendée Globe

The Vendée Globe is currently the only solo non-stop yacht race around the world without assistance. The event followed in the wake of the Golden Globe which, in 1968, initiated the first circumnavigation of this type via the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn). Twenty years later, it was navigator Philippe Jeantot who, after his double victory in the BOC Challenge (single-handed round-the-world race with stages), came up with the idea for a new solo race around the world, but… non-stop! The Vendée Globe was born. On 26 November 1989, 13 sailors took part in the 1st edition, which took over 3 months. Only 7 made it to Les Sables d’Olonne.

Eight editions of what the wider public now refer to as the Everest of the Seas have allowed 167 competitors to take part in this extraordinary race. Only 89 of them have made it over the finish line. This figure alone reveals the incredible difficulty of this global event, where solo racers are faced with extreme cold, gigantic waves and stormy skies that sweep the Southern Ocean. Above all, the Vendée Globe is a journey beyond the sea and into the depths of oneself. It has recognised some very worthy sailors: Titouan Lamazouen in 1990, Alain Gautier in 1993, Christophe Auguin in 1997, Vincent Riouen in 2005, François Gabart in 2013 and Armel Le Cléac’h in 2017. The sailor from Finistère became the new event record holder in 74 days. Just one sailor has won it twice: Michel Desjoyeaux, in 2001 and 2009. The 9th Vendée Globe will set off from Les Sables d’Olonne on Sunday 8 November 2020.

Photo credits: Yvan Zedda, Défi Azimut

Vendée – Arctique – Les Sables d’Olonne

A New Lease Of Life For Sailing And Sailors: Ulysse Nardin And The “Vendee-Arctique-Les Sables D’olonne”. Le Locle, 15 June 2020 – WHILE MOST OF THE MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS THIS YEAR HAVE BEEN CANCELLED, …

#Les Sables d’Olonne #Ulysse Nardin #Vendée - Arctique - Les Sables d’Olonne #Vendée Globe

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albinohare · 6 years ago

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A voyage for 21st Century madmen? What drives the Golden Globe skippers

Helen Fretter went to the start of the Golden Globe Race to find out why 17 men and one woman have eschewed modern technology to race solo around the world for 300 days

PPL PHOTO AGENCY – COPYRIGHT FREE for editorial use only PHOTO CREDIT: Christophe Favreau/PPL/GGR Tel: +44(0)7768 395719 E.mail: [email protected] web: www.pplmedia.com ***2018 Golden Globe Race – Mark Sinclair (AUS) Lello 34 Coconut, passing through the Marina Rubicon ‘Gate’ off Lanzarote in the Canaries.

A voyage for madmen, so was the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race deemed. When the first non-stop race around the world began in 1968 few thought a man could sail around the world alone. The common opinion was that the limits of human endurance would be reached long before 30,000 miles around the planet could be completed.

In some respects those early critics were tragically correct. Donald Crowhurst was famously driven beyond the edge of reason during the race, falsifying position reports before his presumed suicide. Bernard Moitessier felt the siren call of the sea so strongly he continued on alone, unable to return to western life or even his family. Six others failed, one – Nigel Tetley – after his yacht sank beneath him.

But one man and one yacht proved them wrong. Robin Knox-Johnston and Suhaili showed it could be done when he completed his solo circumnavigation in 312 days.

Since then more than 200 people have sailed around the world alone, non-stop (for context, some 530 have gone into space, and 306 have summited K2).

From BOC Challenge and Vendée Globe competitors to record-breakers and record-seekers, pioneers of different ages and nationalities, sailing the wrong way round, or from start ports as various as Qingdao and Mumbai, solo sailors have pushed the limits of what a non-stop circumnavigation can be. No longer is there any question that it can be done: the current record time stands at a breathtaking 42 days, set by François Gabart in the 100ft trimaran Macif last winter.

Yachts have never been faster, communication equipment never more advanced, weather forecasting and routeing tools never more accurate. So why on earth would 18 souls bid to sail around the world with the same privations those nine original Golden Globe entrants had to endure? They will not be the first nor the fastest, so why voluntarily cut contact for months on end, place their faith in small, traditionally equipped yachts, and let their fates be determined by the wind, the waves, and their own mental fortitude?

The reasons are as varied as each of the 18 entrants. The premise of the 2018 Golden Globe race is a little extraordinary, and it has attracted a collection of unique and extraordinary characters.

The race was born out of a personal passion. Australian adventurer Don McIntyre finished 2nd in the 1990-91 BOC Challenge solo round the world race, but harked to sail around again in Knox-Johnston’s wake. As the 50th anniversary of Knox-Johnston’s return approached McIntyre started to plan how it could be done. Others showed an interest in joining him, and what started as a personal pilgrimage rapidly evolved into a full-blown race. McIntyre initially planned to take part, but the organisation required escalated until he sold his boat (to entrant Kevin Farebrother) and became race chairman instead.

Perhaps surprisingly, there was never any shortage of people willing to take part. At one stage the entry list was overflowing with 30 declarations of interest and another 15 on the waiting list. In the end, 18 became official entrants, 17 took the startline – the financial, practical and qualification demands of the race having seen all but the most determined away.

Among those 18 were numerous professional sailors, whose CVs include the Jester Challenge, OSTAR, Vendée Globe, BOC Challenge, superyacht events, the Whitbread Round the World Race, and many more.

But there was also a former firefighter, Kevin Farebrother, who admits that he ‘barely’ had the qualifying mileage under his belt; Palestinian currency trader Nabil Amra; 28-year-old Susie Goodall, taking part in her first ever solo race, and amateur yachtsmen for whom the event is a fantasy made reality.

For Jean-Luc Van Den Heede the race is a chance to recreate a formative moment in his own life. “I followed [the 1966 Golden Globe] at the time – I was 23. I dreamt about this race.”

From watching those early pioneers, Van Den Heede went on to carve out a sailing career few could dream of. He has five circumnavigations to his name, four of them podium finishes (2nd and 3rd places) in both the Vendée Globe and BOC/Around Alone Race. Aged 73, he has absolutely nothing to prove and is gleefully doing this for the sheer fun of it.

“I didn’t want to sail again around the world, for me that was finished. Even if Matmut [his sponsor] gave me €10million I wouldn’t do the Vendée Globe again. I’ve done it twice, and now it’s a technological race, and less of an adventure,” he tells me.

Eager entrant

Yet when a friend mailed Heede details of the Golden Globe Race proposal in 2015, he was signed up within the week. Having raced at the leading edge of competition, will he not find it frustrating to be sailing round the world so slowly? “No,” he says, “it is because it is different that I want to do this.”

At 73 years he considers that he might be “a little bit too old”, so says he’s taking part with an open mind. However, he is clearly not a competitor to be underestimated and after two weeks of racing was lying 3rd.

Australian Mark Sinclair is another sailor for whom a major draw is the sense of becoming part of maritime history. Sinclair’s diminutive orange Lello 34 Coconut carries a library that includes everything from Homer’s Odyssey to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Naomi James’ Alone Around the World, and of course, Knox-Johnston’s A World of My Own.

“I think it’s crazy to sail single-handed around the world without stopping – why would you do that? Why not stop at all those interesting places? But this is a re-enactment of Knox Johnston’s voyage: frame it like that with a sextant and a Walker trailing log and Nories tables, and it’s just so exciting.”

Sinclair sailed solo from Australia to New Zealand in his early 20s and dreamed of a circumnavigation, but a career and family life got in the way. “One of the problems of sailing around the world is you can put it off, and put it off…” he admits, “But this is the 50th anniversary of Knox-Johnston doing the first circumnavigation. It’s on a date – if you miss it, there’s not going to be another. So it’s a catalyst to action, and I just found it absolutely compelling.”

Others discovered the notion much more recently. Former firefighter and SAS soldier Kevin Farebrother only started sailing five years before he started the Golden Globe, and confirmed his entry after reading A World of My Own during an Everest expedition.

Dutchman Mark Slats is another adventurer for whom the Golden Globe is another personal challenge. Intensely driven and competitive, Slats interrupted his Golden Globe preparation to row the Atlantic, demolishing the solo world record time by five days and rowing relentlessly for 18 hours a day.

He has set targets for the number of days he wants each ‘stage’ of the Golden Globe to take and says the thing he is most concerned about is losing motivation: “The hardest thing will be to not get lazy, every job can be done tomorrow.”

Slats uses some bizarre psychological tricks to keep driven – even listening to music he hates for hours on end during his Atlantic row so he could ‘reward’ himself with something better at the end of a watch.

He has already completed two solo circumnavigations and has ambitions of one day doing a Vendée. “I want to be competitive in this, I’m going to be racing the whole way,” he says. He is one of the early stage leaders.

As individual as each competitor is the way they’ve approached the preparation and modification of their yachts. Philippe Péché, a Breton whose career has included twice winning the Jules Verne Trophy, is sailing one of six Rustler 36s in the race, but his is branded in the famous orange livery of PRB. His Rustler 36 has hanked-on headsails, lightweight Karver blocks and similar to make the cruising design as lightweight as possible.

Mark Slats is a world record breaking ocean rower

Mark Slats is sailing another Rustler 36. He too has focussed on reducing weight, packing as minimally as he can with no treats or luxuries. Uniquely, Slats also has two rowlocks fitted to his yacht The Ohpen Maverick with an over-length oar designed to be rowed standing. Slats plans to row for up to 12 or 15 hours a day if needed, giving extra impetus through 100 miles or so of the Doldrums.

Jean-Luc Van Den Heede has modified his Rustler 36 by shortening his rig and increasing the roach on his mainsail. He believes being able to sail consistently, reducing the need to reef repeatedly, will pay off. He also wanted to reduce weight aloft for the Southern Ocean.

Traditional aids

Mark Sinclair has kept his Lello 34 as authentic as possible, refurbishing original winches and engine and fitting a 40-year-old Aries wind vane.

Abhilash Tomy went one step further – his Thuriya is a new build near-replica of Suhaili.

Tomy, who was the first Indian sailor ever to circumnavigate the globe, wanted to build a boat in India but, according the rules, the only new build permitted was an Eric 32 – the original design of Suhaili (all other yachts must be production models, with at least 20 built and designed prior to 1988).

When he approached Knox-Johnston for advice, Sir Robin pointed out that it would be the slowest boat in the fleet. Undaunted, Tomy bought the plans for $200. “She’s the oldest design, from 1923, but the youngest boat,” he says.

Thuriya is actually a thing of loveliness, more spacious below than many of the more modern designs with beautiful woodwork on the gunwales and bowsprit. While Knox-Johnston was not always complimentary about Suhaili’s sailing capabilities, Abhilash seems fond of Thuriya.

“Upwind I don’t need to touch the tiller, she sails on her own. At 25 knots she starts moving. She likes it; I don’t have to shorten sails too much.

“The boat is in charge, she has a life of her own.”

Besides the restrictions to design, there are huge limitations on what each skipper may take. The banned list includes GPS, radar, AIS, chart plotters and electronic charts, electronic wind instruments, electric autopilots, electronic log, mobile phone, tablets, iPods, or any computer-based device, CD players, video cameras and digital cameras, satellite equipment of any kind, digital binoculars, pocket scientific calculators, electronic clocks or watches, watermakers, and materials including carbon fibre, Spectra, Kevlar, and rod rigging.

For safety the boats may carry an AIS transponder that does not give access to GPS. For emergency use only, they also carry GPS units in sealed packages. If the seals are broken, or the skipper makes landfall to carry out repairs, then they are moved to the ‘Chichester’ division of the race.

Navigation is by sextant, and all celestial observations and calculations must be clearly recorded for verification.

Communication is limited to Ham radio, weekly satellite calls with the organisers, and very brief telegram-style messages – outgoing only. Weather bulletins are received by radio.

Despite the drive for authenticity, curiously, engines are not sealed and competitors may carry up to 160 litres of fuel, buying them a few hundred miles of motoring through the lightest airs and at the compulsory film drops to handover their Super8 footage and stills photos.

Provisioning and stowage was a huge challenge for all. Every skipper I spoke to was carrying a spare mainsail, a massive item to carry on such small yachts. Spares included replacement headsails, spinnaker poles, and windvane gear. Endless tools and repair kits have to be carried – Mark Sinclair explained how he had planned to convert Coconut’s saloon table into a work bench if needed, with vices, clamps and timber packed.

Sinclair estimated he also had some 1,000 cans of food on board. Provisioning choices varied with a mix of canned and vacuum-packed meals. With no watermakers on board skippers will need to catch their own water, limiting the usefulness of freeze-dried food. Susie Goodall even opted to go plastic-free with her provisions, using dozens of glass Kilner jars.

A transformative experience

Few of the skippers who set out on 1st July had any real idea how they will contend with nine or ten months with virtually no contact from other people.

As the youngest skipper, Susie Goodall, born in 1990, will never have known life without the internet, email or text messages. It’s likely that music on cassette tapes is as alien to her as the Super 8 cine film supplied to each boat.

Goodall seemed brittle with nerves before the start, but it was hard to judge if she was nervous about the upcoming voyage, or more likely struggling to contend with the hundreds of people wanting to talk to her about the event in the final few days.

Mark Slatts thrives on utter isolation. Two days into his cross-Atlantic row he cut the wires on this GPS because he found the ‘miles to go’ countdown so intrusive.

Mark Sinclair, who has sailed thousands of miles solo, was also looking forward to it. “Moby Dick’s got 600 pages, if I read two pages a day I’ll just get through it,” he jokes.

“I spend most of my time sitting up in the cockpit watching the water go by, I find it hypnotic.

“Sometimes I have to make a radio sched and it’s so invasive, I feel like it’s invading my space.”

But not everyone can cope: within a week of starting, Ertan Beskardes withdrew from the race. He explained on Facebook: “Not talking to my family regularly to share the daily experiences has sadly taken the joy and happiness from this experience. These feelings gradually got worse until nothing else mattered except to talk to them. This wasn’t an experience I was prepared for.”

Before the start Kevin Farebrother admitted he was nervous about his lack of experience. “And to be honest, the solitude for nine months. It could be too much, I don’t know – if I only last two weeks we’ll know it’s a problem?” he said presciently.

In fact he retired after exactly two weeks, unable to adapt to sleep below decks. “For me it is like getting into the back seat of a moving car to sleep when no-one is at the wheel,” he said, as he retired from the race.

Abhilash Tomy is another looking forward to the isolation. For him the bigger challenge is rejoining the modern world.“It’s always the return, coming back that’s harder. It’s painful integrating back into society.

“I found it very amusing last time. You see people having conversations – they’re talking a lot but they’re not communicating what they want to say.”

Tomy believes the race will be transformative for all the skippers. “They all will be changed, but to what degree, to what extent and in what direction is something that will be decided by their expectations of this race, and what experiences they have.”

We will have to wait some 300 days to find out.

This article appeared in the September 2018 issue of Yachting World magazine – visit https://goldengloberace.com for latest updates on race places and retirements

The post A voyage for 21st Century madmen? What drives the Golden Globe skippers appeared first on Yachting World.

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