“There are times to stay put, and what you want will come to you, and
there are times to go out into the world and find such a thing for yourself.”
― Lemony Snicket, Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid
The Race started on August 20th from Liverpool. After much fanfare, the boats set off on their adventure to the South Atlantic. And now, there’s just a couple more days to go before the first of them arrives at Punta del Este in Uruguay. That’s where I get on for the ride of my life. It’s with a lot of eagerness and some trepidation that I count down to Leg 2.
That’s if I get my Uruguay visa! Lemony Snickett was lucky he didn't need a Visa. As if the excitement of the Race is not enough, I am torn between frustration and anger at the entirely bureaucratic visa process. Why the US visa was a cake walk in comparison! And I had as much at stake there since I wanted to accompany my son as he began a new phase of undergraduate life at Boston University.
With just days to go and no signs of life from the Embassy, I am yet to buy my flight tickets or pack my bags. It also means I get zero sightseeing time in Punta del Este. And I’m not certain of my birthday celebrations in Cape Town either.
It has been an eventful couple of months since I came back in July though. For one, Cdr Abhilash Tomy, launched Thuriya, the boat modelled on Suhaili, that he will Sail in the Golden Globe Race. It’s a race to commemorate the original race 50 years ago, won by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on his Indian made boat Suhaili, making him the first person ever to sail around the world solo and non-stop. Crd Tomy will attempt to sail Thuriya single handedly across the globe with just a sextant to help navigate his way. Why? Because the race rules dictate that sailing conditions replicate those of 50 years ago.
And just nine days ago, a group of six young naval women officers set sail to attempt the first ever circumnavigation by a group of Indian women. Navika Sagar Parikrama is the third act to follow up on Capt Dilip Donde’s solo circumnavigation and Cdr Abhilash Tomy’s solo non-stop circumnavigation. The training with Clipper made it easier for me to assist the team on INSV Tarini and for whatever it's worth, I even put together a handy billy with a little assistance from the team (tor)mentor. Having sailed almost 1,000nm in 10 days, this team of plucky women is now just south of the Indian sub-continent. Follow them on Facebook and keep track of their progress.
Keep your fingers crossed for their safe passage to Australia, and mine to Uruguay!
