50 Years of Progress???
It looks like only four of the potential five entries will start the 3500nm Transatlantic leg of the Ocean Race this Sunday. I guess many of you won’t know or care what I’m talking about, and that understandable.
But this race is the direct descendant of the Whitbread Round the World Race which first took place 50 years ago this September. I’m loath to criticise something that obviously involves intense sailing talent, bravery, dedication and mastery of technology (not to mention bucket loads of money). The IMOCA 60s are by all measures impressive machines. Capable of 600nm days, run by computers and systems that are unrecognisable by even today’s serious weekend warriors.
And yet I think we have to admit (as with so much of elite level sailing) something has gone horribly wrong.
According to its own website “The race sits, just as it always has, at the intersection of human adventure, and world-class competition.”
I have trouble believing this breathless hyperbole when only three boat completed the recent leg across the equator, and only four will start out across perhaps the most famous ocean racing venue of all time, the North Atlantic.
So where did things go wrong? The first race, held in an era of rudimentary safety, genuine Corinthian (amateur) values, and no rewards apart from a deep inner satisfaction, had 19 entries ranging from 80 to 32 feet
In searching for a few possible answers to what it is we are missing, I came across the wonderful 2016 documentary called “The Weekend Sailor”
“In 1973, Mexican businessman Ramon Carlin gathered a crew of young sailors for the first head-to-head sailing race around the world. He had no captain’s license, no boat and almost no experience. This 9-month expedition would be one of the most dangerous and demanding sailing races in history.”
The boat he chose was a brand new Swan 65 Ketch called SAYULA II. Although made from fibreglass the S&S design quickly became a classic and is much sought after to this day.
You can watch a trailer for the film here… or if you are interested in thinking a little more deeply about what the sailing world has gained and lost from 50 years of progress then the full film is available on Vimeo on Demand for just $12