Opposite: after finishing on the podium on six of the nine stages, with three stage wins, by the time Paul Cayard and EF Language re-entered the Solent to finish the 1997/98 Whitbread they had a margin of almost 140 points over runner-up Grant Dalton. This was also the first race without a Corinthian team… entries having dropped to 10, down from 15 in the previous edition. Since then there has been no place for amateurs in a once great event that has now gone the way of other ‘intensely’ pro-only regattas. The Ocean Race worked hard but still only three Imocas finished the course. The 2005/06 race saw the appearance of the spectacular VO70s; everyone wanted one yet entry fell to a new low of seven, albeit with some rarified talent lined up to race them (left to right): Torben Grael, Bouwe Bekking, John Kostecki, Paul Cayard, Sébastien Josse, winner Mike Sanderson and Grant Wharrington
sacrificing so much to make it all possible. So, whether there are five people inside the boat with ‘Otto’ driving, or 10 people on deck getting a firehose in their faces, the ‘determination to overcome’ is ever present, and the sharing of that most human of endeavours bonds people like nothing else.
The Ocean Race also conducted a partner conference while I was in town and I was impressed by the commitment of the sponsors. One thing that hadn’t hit me as an App-spectator is that there is a lot more going on with The Ocean Race than the ‘tracker’. The organisers and sponsors would say that the real race is to ‘save the ocean’, the race a platform from which to create awareness about the damage we have inflicted on the planet and the urgency with which we need to take corrective action. For the past 60 years we have used plastic for economic benefit in almost every industry from food delivery to manufacturing. We have used petroleum to offer more travel opportunity in the air, on the sea and roads. These actions have had positive economic benefit to the purveyors at the expense of the environment. Reversing the damage will cost money. Therefore, it was particularly heartening to hear the Volvo CEO talk about how they now use recycled plastics in car components,
and the CEO of Biotherm talk about modifying his award-winning sunscreens to not pollute the waters. Needless to say 11th Hour Racing is all in on awareness, social responsibility and sustainability. Together The Ocean Race community has launched an initiative called One Blue Voice to drive public support for ‘ocean rights’. An ambitious campaign aims to give the ocean ‘a voice’ and put in place a global framework for protecting the marine environment, which in turn plays a critical role in maintaining the health of the planet. The Ocean Race will present a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights with 50,000+ signatures to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.
The best
‘Family is everything’. That phrase takes on more significance every year for me. I have two granddaughters now and they are the apple of Baba’s eye.
Racing with my son Danny on our various Stars continues to be more satisfying. After years of sailing together our progress is just like any other team’s progress… you work at it, and you improve. But when you do that in a two-man boat and the other person is your son or daughter it is much more meaningful. All the things we share, rig-tuning numbers, sail selection, tactical choices, winning the race to the hoist… are so fun and valuable. Life is good and I am grateful!
FOR ALL YOUR SAILING INSURANCE NEEDS HAVE YOU CONSIDERED?
Personal Accident & Emergency medical insurance
Protection and indemnity insurance – Yacht owners third party public liability and employers’ liability which includes crew injury
Cargo all risks insurance – For when your yacht is shipped – get a quote from us before you accept the shipper’s standard policy
Call or email us to discuss a quote for your protection & peace of mind
Neil Coxon Email:
njc@lexrisks.com Tel: +44 (0) 7553 264890
www.lexrisks.com SEAHORSE 39
OSKAR KIHLBORG
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