Please select your home edition
Edition
Lloyd Stevenson - Equilibrium 728x90px TOP

Global Solo Challenge: Delamare ready to “embark” children on global adventure

by Margherita Pelaschier / Global Solo Challenge 27 Sep 03:32 PDT
Philippe Delamare © Global Solo Challenge

Philippe Delamare's Actual 46 Mowgli, with its stunning orange hull, rests peacefully at the dock. She is about to set off on a circumnavigation with her skipper, an adventure that will last nearly six months.

Just a few days before his departure, scheduled for Saturday, September 30th, Philippe told us about the educational program he has designed in connection with his sporting challenge.

"I was looking for a school, preferably far from the sea, with heterogeneous and/or underprivileged children as an audience to participate in my project. Thanks to my family, I discovered the "Anne Sylvestre" school located in Rouen, on the left bank, in the Saint-Sever district. The 4th and 5th-grade teacher liked my project. So, I visited the class. It was wonderful to meet the students and see their enthusiasm at the idea of following us, Mowgli and me, virtually during our circumnavigation. I am a father of four children and, just like Mowgli, the years have not erased my wonder for nature and the sea, nor my joy in sharing. That's why I chose children who don't necessarily have the chance to see the sea frequently. During my journey, I will make video calls to share my experiences. I hope to inspire and let them develop their dreams."

The teacher, Mrs. Céline Alexandre, told us, "It was through mutual acquaintances, including one of my first-grade colleagues, that Philippe contacted me. I have a 4th/5th-grade class made up of nine 4th graders and thirteen 5th graders. A large majority are from immigrant backgrounds, either directly or second or third generation. Two students have a disability, and another, originally from Afghanistan, speaks little French. I also plan to integrate a student from the CRA program (deaf and hard of hearing) who already participates in some courses with us."

"Philippe came to meet the students and took a photo of them, planning to place it on the hull of his boat. The children were delighted. They feel as if they're participating in the voyage. Regarding our collaboration, we are considering weekly video conferences on Fridays. The children will prepare their questions on Thursday to ask the next day. Educationally, I plan, among other things, activities such as preparing tasks, making drawings of their dreams, presentations on the animals Philippe encounters or the countries he approaches. In our geography class, we will track Mowgli's progress on a world map. In science, we will talk about OFNIs (unidentified floating object, debris, flotsam and jettison). We will also likely explore 'The Jungle Book', which inspired the name of the boat, through reading and comprehension activities."

Philippe's longtime friend, Hugues Girod, who will not be present in La Coruña but who has been involved in all of Mowgli's preparation since March of this year, told us about this first meeting, the values he shares with him, and his strengths as a skipper.

"Philippe and I first met in Ushuaia in 2011. Philippe had arrived on his catamaran, sailing from New Zealand and going through Tierra del Fuego alone. As for me, I had come from a long voyage from France, heading south to South America with my family, my wife, and our two children. Later, our paths crossed as we went up the Chilean rivers, and it was in Puerto Montt that we truly got to know each other. Then, we parted ways: Philippe heading for Australia, and I setting out for Canada. However, Philippe contacted me as there was an opportunity to work together in Australia, and I accepted his offer. We shared these moments for 6 years, from 2012 to 2018, in Australia. Today, it's been 12 years since we've known each other. After Australia, I went to New Caledonia for 4 years and returned to France in February 2023. Philippe needed someone to assist him, so I began working with him to prepare for the race. Since March, I have worked intensively on the boat in Lorient."

Continue reading the full article here...

Related Articles

Global Solo Challenge update
Navigating the unforgiving waters of the southern oceans The latest week in the Global Solo Challenge has seen the majority of the skippers at sea confront, some for the first time, the relentless and dynamic Southern Ocean. Posted on 27 Nov
Kevin Le Poidevin sets off for GSC 2023
Determination to pursue his dream of completing a solo circumnavigation Yesterday, November 23rd at approximately 13:30 local time (12:30 UTC), Kevin Le Poidevin set off in north easterly winds of around 10 knots and a weak late autumn sunshine, from A Coruña aboard his Open 40' Roaring Forty. Posted on 24 Nov
Andrea Mura begins Global Solo Challenge
Circumnavigating the world solo was a dream he no longer wanted to postpone On a gray autumn afternoon in the bay of A Coruña, with light southwesterly winds, Andrea Mura departed on November 18th at 14:00 local time (13:00 UTC) for his Global Solo Challenge, joining the fleet of thirteen competitors already at sea. Posted on 20 Nov
Global Solo Challenge update
From the equatorial calms to the roaring forties Fourteen skippers have departed between August 26 and October 28 to take part in the Global Solo Challenge, with two more setting sail this weekend (November 18). Posted on 16 Nov
Juan Merediz retires from Global Solo Challenge
After 3 days lost repairing halyard and autopilot, problems return Juan Merediz officially announced his withdrawal from the Global Solo Challenge on November 11th due to autopilot issues. The skipper had already directed the bow of his Class40 Sorolla towards the Mediterranean three days earlier. Posted on 14 Nov
Cole Brauer crosses the equator
Dominant in the first stage of The Global Solo Challenge At 7:30 UTC, Cole Brauer reached the equator after two weeks at sea, competing in the inaugural Global Solo Challenge. Posted on 13 Nov
Global Solo Challenge update on Andrea Mura
Andrea will set off on November 18th Andrea Mura is driven by a special wind, a wind that carries the name and spirit of his homeland: Sardinia. This wind has not only inspired the name of his project and his boat, "Vento di Sardegna", but also symbolizes the pride he has for his origins. Posted on 10 Nov
Global Solo Challenge update
A brutal trial by fire debut for the late October starters The grand departure of October 29 saw 7 skippers set off from A Coruna to join those who had left in the prior weeks taking the total of boats at sea to 14. Posted on 7 Nov
Global Solo Challenge update
The conditions during the first days off the coast of Spain have been very tough As the storm Ciaran hit the coast of Brittany last night with winds reaching 55-70 knots and red alerts in various French ports, the fleet of seven vessels from the Global Solo Challenge that left A Coruña on Sunday the 29th is heading south. Posted on 2 Nov
The chase has begun in the Global Solo Challenge
Seven sailors departed from A Coruña At noon on Sunday, October 29th, the creator and organizer of the Global Solo Challenge, Marco Nannini announced on the skippers' chat: "Ladies and gentlemen, the show is on!" wishing good winds to the seven sailors who just departed from A Coruña. Posted on 30 Oct
Marine Resources 2022 - FOOTERNorth Sails Performance 2023 - FOOTERMelges 2023 - Melges 15 FOOTER