Yachts & Yachting - July 2018

on yachts in the high lattitudes that she

heard about the early plans to recreate

the Golden Globe Race. “I heard about it

and instantly thought that was for me. I

did a bit of research and really just signed

up quite quickly and that was that.

“here was no one speciic reason I

signed up for it - the whole thing really

appealed to me. It was the chance to

sail round the world but it was also

that it was an incredible opportunity.

“For me I think it is a bit of everything,

and that was the appeal I suppose. It is a

race, and it is intense, but it is obviously

so diferent to something like the Volvo

Ocean Race. I think many of us are

looking at it as an adventure. For myself,

the race part I sort of look at as a race

against Robin Knox-Johnston and myself

with that spirit of adventure attached.

“Certainly it seems to be the re-

creation element that is capturing

people’s imagination. It is an old school

race but there is a modern twist.”

COOL CONFIDENCE

he idea of setting of in what is – by

modern standards – a small boat in order

to sail around the world with almost no

modern technology on board, taking part

in a re-creation of a race in which only

one of nine starters inished, has captured

a good deal of admiration. It has also,

however, found a number of detractors.

But Goodall is quick to respond to those

who may consider it irresponsible.

“In terms of the navigation elements,

there is nothing that you need to know

that is not already in the Yachtmaster

exam. I have done navigation celestially

and without GPS; the main diference

though is that although I have done

a fair bit of celestial training, that has

obviously been with GPS on as a back-

up, (which has actually been a really

useful tool to check whether you have

got it right) but it is still always there.

“I don’t think any of us will really feel

the loss of modern technology until

the start. When you are training with

it all there, then you may not use it,

but it is there. I think it won’t be until

you are in tight situations or even just

tired and trying to motivate yourself

to go though the processes required

that day, I think that is where it will

suddenly be a big loss. But we have

safety back-ups in place so it really

is more a challenge to achieve it than

casting of with nothing on board.”

DHL, Selden and Zhik have all come

onboard in support of Susie’s efort

enabling her to purchase her boat

early and get it (and herself ) kitted out

for the voyage. “It has been so long

getting to this point. Most of my early

concerns have melted into impatience.

I’m now just really excited to get going.”

And what is she most looking

forward to? “I am most excited

about the Southern Ocean. Will I

still be that excited about it once I’m

down there? I guess we will see!”

Above

Strict rules restrict

equipment to

1960s spec

Above, right

Robin Knox-

Johnston returns

to Falmouth in

1969, completing

his 30,123nm

voyage in 313

days, averaging

just 4 knots

Below

French sailor

Philippe Péché

training on his

Rustler 36

IMAGES: BARRY PICKTHALL/PPL; BILL ROWNTREE/PP; YVAN ZEDDA/GGR/PPLL

32 Yachts & Yachting July 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk