David Linger nearing the finish and more positive vibes at the Global Solo Challenge
by Marco Nannini / Global Solo Challenge 17 Apr 2024 04:14 AEST
16 April 2024
David Linger - Koloa Maoli © David Linger
David Linger is less than 600 miles away from A Coruna, the weather forecast shows he will be facing headwinds all the way to the finish.
We have seen with previous competitors that the weather gods always seems to want to leave the Global Solo Challenge skippers with a last moment lasting memory, perhaps so the they can go home proud and chest out knowing they had to earn every mile of their circumnavigation, as if they have not had enough challenges so get all the way near the finish!
The positive thing of being at sea for 150+ days and having sailed for 2500+ miles is that you have built such a tolerance for discomfort that probably David is looking with so much anticipation at the prospect of finishing that a little 600 miles upwind beat to the finish feels just like any other day. He sure would have loved arriving in easy downwind conditions but when we recently exchanged messages I immediately felt like the armchair sailor I have become thinking how nasty it must be, whilst David was upbeat and happy to be nearly there.
David's participation in the Global Solo Challenge is one that I have very much enjoyed following. When we met in A Coruna it took me a few days to figure him out, the quietest American I had ever met, with a bike, a quirky sense of humour and witty sarcasm that had me quietly chuckle so many times. Certainly reserved and the opposite of outlandish, he was always calm with an impeccably prepared boat, sharing pleasantly erratic thoughts which certainly did not make him come through as particularly stressed.
His circumnavigation reflected David's character, he quietly sailed mile after mile without any bold moves or too much sailing drama. His humour came in full display with his barbie doll Babs silently watching the sunset or his cat George peaking unexpectedly from hidden recesses of the boat. "Flat George" is a laminated photo of his real life cat. His screaming toy goat was just as random as you learn to expect from this unique and charming American skipper.
David has had his share of difficulties like any other in the event. However his first true test of character and determination was really unpleasant and came in the early stages of the event when he passed a kidney stone in the South Atlantic. Too far from anywhere to seek help, he had to bear the pain and dealt with the situation by phone with the help of Kathryn Jackson from his medical team, his partner Lillian's and her mother Viv Kuehl.
The Roaring Forties were approached with caution and prudence by David, a strategy that paid off with seemingly limited technical problems on board. Unfortunately just before Cape Horn a wave bigger than others decided to play havoc on Koloa Maoli, the boat suffered a severe broach and the boom broke. David very skillfully nursed the boat around Cape Horn under reduced sail and then pulled into Ushuaia for repairs.
The South Atlantic threw at David one serious storm that forced him to switch to boat and self preservation mode. The two metal tillers in the cockpit were damaged and needed replacement but ultimately, despite the unavoidable apprehension, the challenge was overcome successfully. In the ensuing days the autopilot linear drive started to have problems, but after some back and forth consultations with shore the issue was resolved at sea.
Since then David made good steady progress to the north and milestone after milestone he crossed the equator and sailed toward the Azores in the NE trades. Now he can really start to feel the finish is within reach and he must be very pleased with himself and his brilliant circumnavigation in face of challenges and difficulties all addressed with his poised and calm approach yet showing great resolve and determination. We are expecting David to arrive Saturday 20th in A Coruna and we'll post more accurate updates over the next few days. Don't miss out on his arrival on our usual live broadcasts on Facebook or Instagram.
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