Estonian Lauri Andressel enters Global Solo Challenge on biggest boat yet
by Global Solo Challenge 26 Apr 2021 04:05 PDT
Lauri Andressel on his Bruce Farr Beneteau 53 F5 - Global Solo Challenge © Global Solo Challeng
Lauri Andressel from Tallin in Estonia is the 17th entry in the Global Solo Challenge. With his Bruce Farr designed Beneteau 53 F5 is also the skipper of the biggest boat entered so far.
Tallin is a hanseatic city on the Baltic Sea and Lauri feels in his element when sailing, "maybe it is somewhat in my genes... It gives me a feeling of freedom that I have not found anywhere else in my life."
Interview:
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
I was born in Tallinn, in the medieval Hanseatic city by the Baltic Sea. Maybe it's somehow in my genes.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
Understanding of the force and power of nature; and the relationship between an action and its consequence. Of course there is much more, and many lessons are still to come.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
I get the vitality from nature, especially from being at sea under sails and being alone. It gives me a feeling of freedom that I have not found anywhere else in my life.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
GSC is an attractive and safe way to realise my old dream.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
I prepared the boat for the OSTAR ride which is technically demanding, so it should be mainly ready. Of course I will comply to the GSC requirements in addition to that. It is also important to be physically fit yourself, so I am training as well.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
There can be many challenges and I don't know what could be the main one - but I hope I will be ready to face them.
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.
In 2018, I bought a boat that had not sailed for years, restored its structural strength, installed new sails, electronics, safety equipment etc.
About the Boat:
Boat name: Inanna
Boat design: Beneteau 53F5 – Bruce Farr
Sail Number: EST969
Year built: 1992
Group: TBA
Displacement: 14,172
LOA: 51.7
Upwind sail area: 150 m2
Downwind sail area: 200 m2