Vicarious Voyaging

 Godwit forage on the Kentish salt marsh. The winter solstice passed. The days growing longer and less chill.

At sea, the solo sailors, of the Vendee Globe race, hurtle around the planet. The same fleet that Stargazer met, at the finish of the New York - Vendee race, in Les Sables d'Olonne, last summer.

British sailor, Pip Hare, placed ninth, in that race. She is hoping to do the same, or better, over the winter. Communicating daily, on YouTube, via Starlink.

Her December the fifteenth update comes from the foredeck, of her dismasted boat. A thousand miles south of Melbourne, Australia. The port to which Pip is limping, under jury rig. Her race over.

By December the twenty third, the race leaders are rounding Cape Horn. Neck and neck. Charlie Dalin (pictured) and Yoann Richomme, locked in a duel, which lasts until the finish line. Charlie the eventual victor.

Sam Goodchild, British born, French based, had led the fleet across the equator. His, older generation, boat slower in the 'big south.' But, in his tactically astute hands, able to retake places, during the ascent of the Atlantic.

So that, by the Azores, he is in fourth. There, his mainsail splits. Sam repairs it, in forty knots of breeze, with seas breaking on top of him. Over three long days. To finish ninth. In the most competitive Vendee Globe fleet in history.

(Repair visible between the B and the E, at the head of the sail. Which tore from the body, across its full width.)

With a daily diet of seawall walks and vicarious seafaring, winter has ticked by. Spring approaches. Plans are laid, for Stargazer's pre-cruise refit. My French visa application is lodged. My appointment, to present papers at the consulate, booked.

To enable a triumphal re-entry, to the famous Les Sables d'Olonne canal, of our own, this summer.

PICTURE CREDITS

Pip Dismasted: Screenshot courtesy of Pip Hare Ocean Racing.

Charlie Dalin rounds Cape Horn, Sam Goodchild finish, Sam Goodchild sail repair & Seb Simon triumphant return: screenshots courtesy of Vendee Globe, Les Sables d'Olonne

Godwit, New York-Vendee finish, Pip in Poole, Kent in winter: Stargazer originals