practicalboatowner · video

What this video covers

Sir Chay Blyth, the first person to sail non-stop solo around the world westward against prevailing winds and currents, recounts the decisions and experiences behind that 1971 British Steel voyage and his subsequent racing career.0:05 He describes navigating to Madeira at night by sextant as his first confirmation he could navigate, and explains that his HF radio failed during the circumnavigation attempt after generator fuel stored in the keel became contaminated with salt water, forcing a stop at Tristan da Cunha and then Port Elizabeth. He recruited paratroopers from the Parachute Regiment for the 1973–74 Whitbread Race aboard Great Britain 2, a 77-ft boat, training roughly 200 applicants down to a racing crew; the boat won nine of eleven trophies despite losing the first leg to the 55-ft Adventure.2:57 He discusses the 1968 Golden Globe Race, his 1966 Atlantic rowing crossing with John Ridgeway, and his role in convincing Naomi James and Dee Ferry to pursue their own circumnavigations. He also describes founding the Challenge round-the-world business and originating the Canaries-to-Caribbean ocean rowing race. Rob James is named as a frequent sailing partner, praised for patience in light-air trim.

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