Yachting World — February 2018

The spirit of adventure and innovation

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AND ANOTHER THING...

What happens on board stays on board. This

wise maxim has kept many a crew together

past the madness-inducing intensity of

shipboard life. Things can be done and said

at sea that make no sense back on land, and

hasty words and actions are usually best

left unscrutinised.

Not so for the Volvo Ocean Race crews, who

for the fi rst time are being observed by roving

reporters in a style of reportage that is part

cinema-verité, part reality show. Those on

board don’t always get a veto.

The candour is exactly what the race’s former

CEO Mark Turner promised us. Throughout his

years behind round the world campaigns and

races, he has always said we only ever see a tiny

fraction of what goes on during these events.

The steely, heroic stereotype of the ocean sailor

is built partially on mystery. But the reality is

much more interesting: life aboard, just like life

ashore, is a mix of bravery, tedium, exhaustion,

humour and, occasionally, vulgarity.

In utter contrast, we have a race starting this

year that is built on mystery. In July the Golden

Globe Race will be disappearing on the longest

round the world race since 1969 in almost

complete comms silence. So now we can decide

what we prefer for

ourselves: an enigma to be

warmed to life with our own

imaginations, or the full

frontal, brutal truth.

Elaine Bunting Editor

Twitter @elainebunting

bravery and vulgarity

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A French competitor to the Golden Globe

Race has been launched in France. Called

the ‘Longue Route 2018’ it is a tribute to

the 50th anniversary of Bernard

Moitessier ‘s 1968

Golden Globe and

is being organised

by ocean racer

Guy Bernardin.

Bravo to Pogo Structures, which has

adapted its Pogo 12.50 designs to be sailed

by disabled sailors and wheelchair users.

The boat will be on show at Boot Düsseldorf.

What’s the best way to keep fi t when you are

cruising the tradewinds routes of the oceans?

Here’s one idea from Travis McGarry aboard the

Gunboat 66 Slim. Looks like a lot nicer place for a

turbo trainer than a cold garage....