Samantha Davies's 'Saveol' at the start of the Vendee Globe race
Charlie Pitcher
Of interest to me and perhaps you, there are five topical
maritime events taking place: The Vendée Globe around the world single-handed
yacht race; the Shackleton Epic Adventure, which is a re-enactment of
Shackleton’s remarkable 800 nautical mile voyage from Elephant Island to South
Georgia; the Oceanus Rowing Atlantic Speed Crossing, a team of 6 men aiming to row across the Atlantic in less than 30 days; Transatlantic Solo, Charlie
Pitcher’s attempt at rowing across the Atlantic with aim of beating the world
record time of 40 days, 9 hours and 44 seconds, and Pete Goss’s Big Kayaking
Adventure, his attempt at kayaking around Tasmania.
I’ve been following all of these great adventures. Coming to
a climax is the Vendée Globe Race that has seen a lot of action. Francois
Gabart, aboard ‘Macif’, is predicted to be the winner expecting to cross the
finish line early on Sunday morning. Alec Thomson, aboard Hugo Boss, is hoping
for third place. There’s been much drama in the race, not least the loss of the
keel of Jean Pierre Dick’s ‘Virbac Paprec 3’, who continues to race and
currently holds third position.
The Shackleton re-enactment is a bold adventure with Tim
Jarvis as team leader aboard a replica of Ernest Shackleton’s improvised 22.5
foot wooden boat that he and five other men sailed and rowed between Elephant
Island and South Georgia where they landed and scaled mountains to reach the
whaling station at Stromness on the
other side of the island.
The Oceanus Rowing Atlantic Speed Crossing is in its 11th
day. They are endeavouring to break the outright record for rowing the Atlantic
which currently stands at 32 days. They are aiming to do it 30 days or less.
The remarkable Charlie Pitcher is up for breaking his own
record time for rowing the Atlantic. He has what he believes to be the best
possible boat for achieving his goal. He has previously rowed the Atlantic in
52 days, setting the record for the fastest Brit. Charlie is hoping to set off
from La Gomera on Monday, 28th January, depending on the weather.
Finally, Pete Goss, that great adventurer who has taken on
many maritime challenges, including the 3,500 mile Route du Rhum race; a voyage
aboard the ‘Spirit of Mystery, re-enacting a voyage from the UK to Australia in
an open lugger, and now he is more than halfway around Tasmania paddling and
sailing his kayak in an anti-clockwise direction.
These guys are all achievers; some would say superheroes. Here
are links taking you to their respective websites, and two articles I have written about Vendée Globe and one about Charlie Pitcher.
Enjoy.
Links
Vendée Globe
Shackleton Epic
Oceanus Rowing Atlantic Speed Crossing
Atlantic Solo
Pete Goss Kayaking around Tasmania
Pete Goss, Route du Rhum
Vendée Globe - Around the World
Race
Vendée Globe - Around the World
Race – Part 2
Charlie Pitcher to Row the
Atlantic Again!
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