Global Solo Challenge - Who are your heroes of the world of Solo Sailing? Part III
by Dave Proctor 22 Nov 2022 05:53 PST
Florence Arthaud © H2O Productions / Banijay Group Co / Ibach Télévisions
Continuing on the theme of who are our heroes from the World of solo sailing. I asked a few other notable sailors who were their heroes, and who inspired them in their endeavours.
I also asked them what they were up to these days, and if they had any advice for the entrants to the 2023 Global Solo Challenge.
Mike Golding O.B.E
As well as being a previous IMOCA & FOCA World champion, Mike Golding holds numerous world records and awards - including the prestigious "Emile Robin" and "Royal Humane Society" awards following the successful rescue of fellow solo sailor Alex Thomson from his sinking yacht in a remote part of the Southern Ocean.
Mike said that his yachting heroes (and there are many) would include Robin Knox Johnson, Chay Blyth, Peter Blake, Florence Arthaud and Ellen MacArthur.
Sir Charles 'Chay' Blyth was the first man to sail solo non-stop around the Globe against the prevailing winds.
Peter Blake was a New Zealand winner of the Whitbread Round the World race. For three years he held the Jules Verne trophy, and was a successful Americas Cup winner.
Florence Arthaud, sadly died prematurely after a freak helicopter crash whilst filming a reality show. During her life, she won numerous races, including the Route de Rhum, and The Transpacific. She also held the record for the fastest crossing of the North Atlantic.
Dame Ellen MacArthur, is a British-born offshore sailor, who in her career, won races and records, including at the time, the fastest solo circumnavigation.
Mike said "While I have retired from mainstream competitive sailing - I am still very much involved with the sport and I focus on making our sport more sustainable and accessible. This includes being Chair of the Sustainability Commission at World Sailing. Sailor representative on the WS Oceanic Events Committee, Patron of the RYA/BM Green Blue initiative, and President of the Little Ship Club in London. I also offer private coaching to sailors who are progressing into the shorthanded sport."
His words of wisdom for the GSC sailors would be - "one day at a time."
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede
My colleague Margherita, has already interviewed this intrepid and inspirational sailor, so rather than repeat his achievements here, let us look at who inspired him:
Marcel BARDIAUX le premier!!! Alain Gerbault, Robin Knox Johnston, Bernard Moitessier, Vito Dumas.
I must admit that I did not know the name Marcel Bardiaux, but he was a sailor, writer, boatbuilder, wartime POW (he escaped twice) and indeed a kayaker and kayak builder who in his lifetime sailed 400,000 nm. He eventually retired from sailing after completing 40 Atlantic crossings, the last of which he completed when he was 88 years old.
Continue reading the full article here...