La Hirondelle 59

 

John Passmore proudly shows me his selfie, taken with GGR winner Kirsten Neuschafer. Whom he met whilst collecting a bulk delivery, of copies of his latest book. Which has now been translated into French. Ours is a chance meeting. I had seen him, arms full, grappling with the pontoon access gate and tapped in the code. 

Recognising the name on the book's cover, I blurt out "are you the John Passmore, of Heavenly Twins fame?" Which leads to an invitation, for a beer. 

John, it transpires, is in Les Sables d'Olonne by way of a return trip, from Baltimore (Ireland). En route to a graduation celebration on the Isle of Wight, in a week's time. Waiting, like Stargazer, for wind.

He raced to the south west tip of Ireland, from Plymouth, whilst competing in this year's Jester Challenge. (An annual solo race, for small simple boats, named after Blondie Haslar's junk rigged Folkboat). Aboard his Rival 32 Samsara.

A (distant) successor to the twenty six foot Heavenly Twins catamaran, Lottie Warren. The boat I associate John Passmore with. Remembering the headlines, in June 2000 when they capsized, in seventy five knot (hurricane force) winds, north east of the Shetland Isles. John survived for twenty four fours, clinging to the upturned vessel. Whilst incessantly raked by breaking seas. 

Until he was airlifted off, semi conscious, by helicopter. To be flown to a nearby oil platform, for resuscitation. The nearest that John comes to mentioning the episode, is to remark, whilst recounting a later adventure, "of course I really shouldn't be here at all." A viewpoint which, it appears, he has translated into a 'live-life-to-the-full' philosophy, ever since.

Including the completion of an Atlantic circuit (aboard Samsara), as an alternative to covid lockdown. And the subsequent 'shielding' guidance, to septuagenarians, such as John 

Photo Credits

Kirsten Neuschafer  John Passmore selfie, Samsara under sail & John Passmore at sea selfie - courtesy of John Passmore: oldmansailing.com

Heavenly Twins under sail - courtesy of CatamaranSite.com

Post rescue - courtesy of bbc Scotland news.