Taking on the World

A Sailor's Extraordinay Solo Race Around the Globe

By Ellen MacArthur

I vividly recall watching on TV the day she crossed the finish line in the Vendee Globe. It is the solo non-stop sailing race around the Globe correctly defined as the Everest of sailing. The author, a professional sailor by now, was just a 24-year old young girl embracing this massive challenge.

Always enjoyed understanding all that goes behind the scenes in this sport. Her preparation, training and build-up took years and dedication that only achievable with the passion and sheer determination like hers. As much as she thoroughly prepared, she seemed to go through constant extreme mood changes, from joy to breaking down in tears.

Never a practitioner myself, my life has been attached to the sea and the rivers. My parents and siblings loved sailing growing up and I still carry a scar in one of my hands from an unfortunate accident I had with a friend sailing as a teen. Never a practitioner myself, my life until today has been attached to the sea and the rivers. My parents and some of my siblings, loved sailing.

February 2021

Between October 2020 and late January 2021, the new edition of the Vendee Globe took place. Thirty-three skippers began the race with a record number of six women competed in the race. Although Clarisse Cremer came in twelfth position, she smashed the record Lady MacArthur held since her heroic race, by over a full week! Technology and the use of foilers certainly have been making strides. Technology now allows viewers to have daily live views and interviews with almost every skipper and boat and get a first-hand flavor of how draining physically and mentally the race is.

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