ADVENTURE DRIVEN TO THE LIMITS

Back in 2018 I managed a solo Biscay crossing, then the 2019 Jester Baltimore Challenge; now for the 2021 Jester Azores Challenge. My preparations always include revisiting other solo sailors’ exploits, like Patrick Laine in his 40ft Bavaria; he a dashing ex fighter pilot, me a plain ex-soldier. Or the indomitable minimalist and brilliant wordsmith, Roger Taylor, who makes the tedious process of going up one wave and down another colourfully entertaining. Or ex Royal Marine and Reverend Bob Shepton, who wrote: ‘On mountain and sea, if ye cana look after yourself, there you should not be,’ words that haunted me as I prepared in my usual chaotic way. My passage plans are simple, honed by the weather gods, and I decided to pass 80 miles west of Ushant then south to my decision point 100 miles off A Coruña, avoiding all shipping lanes and fickle weather off Galicia’s Costa da Morte, for I have learned comfort is king, big boys reef early and to turn back is no disgrace.

I’m rarely alone, for depression often accompanies me, so this voyage was as much about battling myself, as