Photo: The dangerous waters of the Southern Ocean
Australian Brian Pattinson from Melbourne Australia is an extremely experienced skipper with over 500 thousand miles of sailing and racing double or single-handed to his account. He is used to sail in the treacherous waters of the Bass Strait and south of Tasmania, where he learnt to respect the enormous force of nature.
Brian is the 20th entry in the Global Solo Challenge and will be looking to buy a boat that suits the staggered starts event format then prepare it for the challenges of the Southern Ocean.
Interview
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
I believe it was just natural to be a sailor, I always dreamed as a child to sail away into the sunset. The weather and nature always interested me.
Experience has taught me it’s not that romantic, but the adventure of what / could happen keeps me excited.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
Mother Nature will always win.
Expect the unexpected and thoroughly enjoy every moment you spend of your life at sea. It’s special.
Us as sailors, take it for granted that we float around the seas and see it as a part of our life, other people just dream about the freedom and excitement, we have it all. It’s up to us.
Mother nature and the wildness of the Southern Ocean
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
I was doing a double-handed race to Japan, when my co skipper got sick and had to leave the boat. I continued, with the belief that I’ll go as far as I can and then retire when I can’t handle any more.
After a while it was closer to get to Japan than back to Melbourne, so I just kept going. I loved the challenge of doing it by myself. And the satisfaction.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
Once you’re dead you are dead for a very long time… this is just what I’ve been looking for. Every body needs an adventure, something to look forward to.
After a while it was closer to get to Japan than back to Melbourne, so I just kept going. I loved the challenge of doing it by myself. And the satisfaction.
Global Solo Challenge: a unique format
The format is unlike any other round the world solo sailing event and will make it fair and exciting for the Skippers as well as easy and engaging for the public and sponsors to follow:
A wide range of boats can enter – 32 to 55 foot.
Boats will be grouped by performance characteristics and set off in successive departures over 8 weeks.
Once at sea, there are no classes. All boats will be sailing the same event. The faster boats will have to try to catch up with the slower boats, the pursuit factor creating competitive interest aboard and a fascinating event for the public and sponsors.
The first boat to cross the finish line wins. The performance differential between the boats is taken into account in staggering the departures, eliminating the need to calculate corrected times.
Global Solo Challenge - Course
All entries will have a chance of winning – dramatic from beginning to end
It will feel quite daunting and emotional to be among the first skippers to set off. Equally it will be nerve wracking for those with a long wait before their departure.
The last skippers to set off will have to keep cool waiting for their turn to start the chase.
The faster boats will need to sail fast and well to make up for the head start given to the slower groups.
It will be the ultimate enactment of the tale of the tortoise and the hare, with steady cruisers being chased by performance thirsty skippers on faster boats.
Who will cross the line first?
Text & Image Courtesy Of Global Solo Challenge
Click here to learn more about The Global Solo Challenge 2023-24