journey
JOINING THE RACE
Anton ’ s entry into the Clipper Round the World race was serendipitous . A friend , aware of his love for sailing and fitness , sent him a post on social media advertising the race .
“ I looked at it and , thanks to modern technology , I then continued to see advertisements for the race whenever I used social media or the internet . The promise of adventure and seeing parts of the world I have not seen before , made me complete that application form ,” recalls Anton .
Following his successful application , Anton underwent rigorous training in the UK . Preparing for the race demanded flexibility , both mentally and physically . Anton started doing yoga , ran and even enlisted a personal trainer for the first time to build strength .
“ Both physical and mental strength is crucial . When you sail , the younger crew members – like myself – are the ones expected to do all the physically challenging work . That while you are in the middle of the ocean with nothing around . You can get tired and scared . Meditation helps to stay calm and not succumb to fear ,” he shares .
HIGHLIGHTS AND CHALLENGES OF THE RACE
Anton recalls one unforgettable day when a whale swam next to the yacht during daylight , blowing water all over the deck .
“ It was a surreal moment . The whale was so close , one of the crew members said he could ‘ look him in the eye ’,” he recalls .
He also remembers the night when crew members had to take turns to sit on the bow to spot whales : “ It was actually very dangerous because there was no moon , making it pitch dark . We knew the whales were there as we could hear them blow , but we could not see them . We had to take turns sitting right on the bow of the yacht to try and look out for them so that we would not sail into them . Yet , the crew ’ s excitement and the thrill of knowing they were nearby made it an unforgettable experience .”
LIFE ON A YACHT
Life on a yacht is a dynamic experience , defined by the continuous evolution of teamwork , effective communication and adaptability .
Anton explains the crew had to adjust living at a 45-degree angle . “ This makes even the simplest tasks – like cutting an onion or making a cup of tea – a major challenge .
“ Some crew members suffered from sea sickness due to heavy seas . A ‘ simple ’ task of fetching a glass of water for them , would be much appreciated . Especially if you realise there is nothing ‘ simple ’ about fetching a glass of water on a yacht being tumbled around in heavy seas at the 45-degree angle ,” he recalls .
“ We had a daily routine of baking bread and even cake every morning ,” he recalls .
“ My first try at baking cake and bread , however , was not smooth sailing . Due to very rough seas , the gimbal stove on the yacht which was supposed to be selfcorrecting to remain level , failed to do so that morning . The result ? The cake batter escaped over the edge of the tin , dripping down onto the bread on the rack below . Fortunately , sailors are a tolerant bunch ; they will eat anything !”
NAVIGATING THE SEAS WITH CONFIDENCE AS A PPS MEMBER
It is noteworthy that Anton is not only a sailor but also a PPS member . Throughout his journey , Anton could take on the challenges of the high seas with confidence , knowing PPS ’ s hazardous pursuit cover covered him , automatically included in his policy . This additional layer of protection exemplifies the commitment of PPS to its members , supporting their pursuits , even when the horizon extends beyond the corporate landscape . Anton ’ s story is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to the mutual support that defines the PPS community .
* The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-2024 comes to an end in July 2024 when yachts are expected to arrive back in the UK . By the time of publishing , the Dare to Lead team was placed first overall , thanks to its win in Cape Town and the fact that the skipper played what is called the Joker , which doubled points earned for the win on the South Atlantic . Click here for more information about the race .
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