Annals Of Adventure–Global Challenge: There’s a round-the-world yacht race going on right now. Started Sunday from Portsmouth, England. But it’s not your everyday, sailed by professionals, ho-hum, global extravaganza. Nope, it’s 12 identical 72-foot yachts, racing around the world’s oceans from east to west, with each yacht crewed by a professional skipper and 17 amateurs, who are probably all puking their guts out right now and wondering why they forked over nearly $40,000 for the privilege. Does it get any more Wetass than this? I mean, the race goes around the globe from east to west, which is against the prevailing winds, which is the really hard way to go. And who would conceive such a diabolical way to torture CPAs and school teachers who think going to sea will be all sunsets and porpoises? Britain’s Chay Blythe, first man to sail solo, non-stop along this route, of course. There is a great website you can check in on to follow all the action. There’s a race viewer, daily logs, even audio clips. The first stop is Buenos Aires, followed by Wellington, Sydney, Cape Town, Boston and La Rochelle. The fleet is expected to get back to Portsmouth in about ten months. In the first few days the fleet has been handed a major North Atlantic drubbing, hammered by 40-50 knot winds. Here’s a typical report from one of the boats:

“Regarding the dreaded mal-de-mer, about 50% of the crew were wiped out yesterday, and we are still not back to a full compliment. At least the large seas and waves keep washing the decks for us! There is no rhyme nor reason for it, and it strikes at the most inopportune times, but we all cope with it in our own way. Mine is to continually drink water so at least I have something to show for all of these stomach exercises I have been performing – 6-pack here we come. Found the perfect cure though – a cadbury’s mini-roll and a half cup of cold tea! Have been fine ever since.”

Yup, sometimes it’s nice to be watching from the comfort of a dry, warm living room. But these guys will have their moments, and soon you’ll be wishing you could get out there, too, and wondering what your spouse will say when you mention that you’re thinking of taking ten months, and most of your savings, to go racing around the world…



“Hope you guys are enjoying the view from the rail. Because that’s pretty much where you are going to be for, oh, about 25,000 miles…”