LUXURY LIVING SPORT u
The adventure came from the challenge of taking on the oceans and the elements at their most unpredictable, surviving enormous journeys to far-flung places. Tragically, three sailors were lost in that first race and a further two sailors died at sea in the nine editions that followed. But the lessons learned have been part of the continuing evolution of the sport
Four decades on from Pearce and Churchill’ s brainwave, there has been a quantum leap in development. Today the yachts are built from the materials that go into space shuttles and the speeds quantify the improvement: in 1973, Eric Tabarly’ s Pen Duick VI did the fastest 24-hour run, clocking up 305 miles; in 2008, Torben Grael’ s Ericsson 4 managed 596.6 miles.
The most expensive, advanced technologies have gone into the transformation, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of greater speeds. And yet the lifestyles of the crews could not be more primitive. While some sailors dispute the often told tales of sawn-off, weightsaving, shared toothbrushes, the attention that goes into making a light boat has bordered on obsession. One race legend of the 1997-98 events told a story of the winning skipper yelling at his crew because three pair of sunglasses had been placed on the leeward side of the boat. The cabins, wine, meat, cooks and fresh water have long since gone, replaced by shared bunks, desalinated water, GPS, rehydrated powder food and protein bars. The crews are world champions, Olympic champions and only the most talented youngsters get a foot in the door.
Guangzhou
Artic Ocean Gothenburg
Lisbon |
Alicante |
Hong Kong |
Newport |
Cardiff |
Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Cape Town |
Auckland |
Itajai |
Indian Ocean
Southern Ocean
The route the fleet will take for the 13th edition in 2017-18 will, at nearly 45,000 nautical miles, be the longest course ever in the 43-year history of the race. It will be tough, intense and feature almost three times as much Southern Ocean Sailing as the previous editions. It will cross four oceans and take in 11 major cities on five continenents. Alicante, Lisbon, Cape Town, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajaí, Newport R. I., Cardiff, Gothenburg and The Hague.
Interest in the Race has never been higher especially after the 12th edition proved the closest in history.
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