Ocean Globe Race (preparation)

The Ocean Globe Race 2023 is officially over, and I want to share my experiences and personal journal entries from along the way. The race taught me many skills for the future and served as a great springboard for upcoming projectsThe preparation for the Ocean Globe Race started already in 2020 when the team was selected for the project. At that point, I couldn’t even imagine what I was getting into or what the competition would be like.Ahead of us was a massive renovation of the Galiana with secure, a Swan 55, where the boat was made durable and safe for circumnavigation. Despite many failures and long winter evenings, both Galiana and the team were ready for the summer of 2023.However, before the race start in September, we still had a busy summer ahead of us, testing the last components of the boat and equipment before it headed to England. I was working at WB-Sails, where all the sails for Galiana with secure were made.We fine-tuned the sails during the last weeks in Finland, and eventually, the remaining sails were flown to England. It was wonderful to be involved in making the sails and learning how to craft durable, high-quality sails

 

In July, we held a big farewell party where all our friends and family came to celebrate, and from there, we set off ceremoniously toward England.The plan was to go through Kiel Germany and then to England to have a new mast checked, as there had been several issues, causing a bit of concern.We wanted to have the mast inspected before the Fastnet Race, which circles the Fastnet Rock lighthouse every four years. We arrived at the dock on time, and the mast was in good condition.However, before the OGR start, it would be wise to check everything once again and take the mast down. The plan sounded good—new ropes in the mast and off to Fastnet!But the weather forecast wasn’t quite ideal, predicting upwind of 20–30 knots in gusts. The start and the first few hours went well, despite the strong winds. Many boats dropped out, and rescue teams were constantly assisting sailors. I also heard a Mayday call on deck from double handed boat was sinking. The situation was calm, and they were close to shore, so there was no immediate danger. We had been beating into the wind for about ten hours when the waves started to become very sharp and narrow, thrashing the boat. I was off-watch, sleeping, when I felt the boat drop from the crest of a wave and, a second later, a massive crash. Everyone sleeping inside jumped out of their bunks. I heard Anton’s calm voice from the deck: “The mast broke. Everyone on deck, life jackets and lifelines on !”

motoring back to shore

I quickly put on my gear and clipped myself in as I stepped onto the deck. Part of the mainsail was over the hatch, so I had to crawl out.The top of the mast and the forestay were partially in the water, but everything and everyone was still on board, which was a relief.We divided up the tasks—some of the bigger members of the team started winching the mast top out of the water using the mizzen halyard.The rest of us started tying up the mainsail and collecting the ropes from the water so we could safely start the engine. Most of the crew was severely seasick,as a boat without a mast rocks very uncomfortably. After about four hours of cleaning up, we were able to start the engine and make our way back to shore as the wind subsided.We headed straight to Gosport’s Marine Rigging Service and began unpacking everything, which took several days. Eventually, the lower part of the mast was lifted out. It was a depressing sight, as there was just over a month left until the OGR start, and there was no certainty about getting a new mast. We spent about a week doing the unfinished boat work that had to be completed before the start, such as storage racks for shoes or kitchen supports. It felt frustrating because we didn’t know if we’d even be able to race or if the project would end here.

our bent forestays

We all went home to rest for a couple of weeks before hopefully returning to England to install a new mast if we got one.Those were heavy weeks, waiting and hoping for the best. But finally, a light appeared at the end of the tunnelwhen Marine Rigging Service promised to help us with a new mast. We received a new midsection of the mast, and the undamagedlower and upper parts were attached to the new midsection. And so, we got the mast just before the start, allowing us to test everything and get it all ready a few weeksbefore September 10th, the day of the race start.

We got the green card !

food shopping for 12 people for 48 days

We moved to Southampton, where the race village was. We managed to organize a few good parties with the other sailors and got to know our competitors and their boats.My family also came to watch the start day, which was wonderful. Despite all the setbacks, we were all ready to sail around the world.