“The Mercy”
A lot of us will have watched the movie “The Mercy” based on the true story of the disastrous attempt by amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst to compete in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1968.
Saturday afternoon surprise
25th October, I was so pleased we decided that for our Saturday afternoon walk we would head down to the marina and walk along the only pier that pedestrians can go on. As we met Ertan Beskardes on his boat “Lazy Otter”.
Simply by offering for Marcel to give Ertan a hand with a job that required two people we had a few incredible days with Ertan. Learning about the ins and outs of sailing in the Golden Globe Race that is due to leave Les Sables d’Olonne in September 2022.
Marcel & I were taken completely by surprise when Ertan offered to take us out on Lazy Otter & even more surprised when Marcel was given the helm on our very first trip out of Les Sables d’Olonne harbor into the Atlantic ocean. For me, it was very exciting having the opportunity to be on a yacht that is going to sail around the world in the famous Golden Globe race. As for Marcel, it was not quite as exciting as he discovered that helming a long-keeled yacht while motoring is not easy especially when it came to docking it back on the berth. Lazy Otter was determined not to go where Marcel wanted her to go, it took quite a bit of maneuvering by both Ertan & Marcel to dock her on the pier.
The Golden Globe race is defiantly not for the faint-hearted - non stop sailing around the world
The Golden Globe is a solo, non-stop around the world race via the five capes without modern technology or the benefit of satellite-based navigation aids, the skippers will be using a sextant on paper charts. Competitors must sail yachts similar in concept to Sir Robin Knox’s 32ft vessel Suhaili. The competitors that have entered the race will spend around 250 days at sea and are only able to sail into port twice to drop off video footage in Cape Town & Hobart Australia without stepping on land. Unlike the movie “The Mercy” competitors don’t have a radio phone enabling them to call friends and family. However, the contestants are able to occasionally talk to loved ones using a Satellite phone.
Safety is paramount
Ertan has spent months & months getting Lazy Otter ready for the race including many hours of sailing in accordance with the race entrance rules. All entrants are tracked 24/7 by satellite, but all competitors will not be able to interrogate this information unless an emergency arises.
Preparing food for a possible 250 plus days at sea without being able to stop for more.
Imagine having to plan all your meals without being able to stop for provisions along the way. When we met Ertan he was experimenting with eating different types of freeze-dried foods that are available. His general opinion was eating the freeze-dried food while sitting on the boat in the marina is really difficult as it doesn't taste very nice. All though when you are at sea and are cold & hungry most things taste great. Ertan also has to carry enough water for the entire trip, even though it is possible to collect rainwater along the way.
My thoughts on the Golden Globe race
By spending time with Ertan, Marcel and I had a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this famous sailing race first hand. By spending time on the Lazy Otter & going for a cruise out into the Atlantic Ocean in quite a rolly sea, we were able to imagine what Solo sailing around the world sometimes in atrocious conditions no mod cons or technology would be like.
Our conclusion - it is defiantly not for us. Even though I am aware that Marcel & I will be sailing in some not ideal conditions in fact for me some very scary conditions we will be in the height of luxury compared to the Golden Globe sailors.
Note: for this blog, I have written it in regards to our time spent with Ertan Beskardes, with some information taken from different websites about the Golden Globe.
Blog by Karen