Antoine Douguet,sailing,racecarmarine,racecar marine,ocean racing,yachts,yacht racing,Global Solo Challenge
Antoine Douguet from Deuville in France has always dreamed to sail around the world as part of a race or an event. However two issues stood in the way.
The first was the budget required to enter any existing event. The second is his passion for classical boats. As the 22nd entry in the Global Solo Challenge he will be able to sail his 41.6ft steel Frans Maas called Dur au Mal launched in 1962 making it finally possible for Antoine to pursue is lifelong dream.
Antoine Douguet Interview:
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
I Grew up between Paris and French Polynesia and always have had passion for the sea and anything related. My first relation with the ocean was from fishing and soon had enough of the sound of the engines. One of my very best friends had sailed across the Atlantic on board a wooden 6.50 and i had admiration and envy for his trips. Later he bought a 39′ ketch and took me with him from Brussels to Chile via Antarctica and Cape Horn. My decision was made, i will sail on my own boat from now on.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
Sailing is a source of inspiration and humility, it teaches attentiveness, anticipation, resourcefulness, patience and prioritisation.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
At some point, when sailing with a crew, you have to deal with deadlines, air-planes to catch, jobs to go back to and so on. It is quite difficult to have your crew always available at the same time as you are and as a consequence, you just leave on your own.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
I have always been interested in sailing around the world on my own as part of a race but today the main issue is the budget if you want to be competitive. on the other hand my passion goes for classic sailing more than carbon made sea Formula Ones.
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.
Click here for more on the Global Solo Challenge
Text & Image courtesy of Global Solo Challenge