Englishman William Croxford has dreamed of sailing around the world since childhood, watching and reading about Ellen MacArthur and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston made him always dream of completing a circumnavigation. After a difficult 2020 he decided now is the time. He is the 28th entry in the Global Solo Challenge, with more entries in the pipeline organisers are pleasantly surprised with the popularity of the event and growing participants’ list.
Interview
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
I learnt to sail on the local lake during a summer activities camp and found an ever lasting passion for sailing spending my weekends and school holidays sailing dinghies. Watching and reading about Ellen MacArthur and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston made me always dream of sailing around the world solo. When I went travelling at the age of 18 I sailing in both Australia and New Zealand on a number of different styles of yachts both cruisers and racers. This is where my offshore experience grew along with my experience. After a difficult 2020 I have decided the time is right to for fill my childhood dream to sail and race around the world.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
Nature and the ocean are always in charge and you have to work with them to succeed. If you try to work against them you will fail.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
The solitude and personal challenge. I haven’t sailed single handed yet and before we set of I have two stages of single handed I want to complete 1st Single handed around the UK and second single handed return of the Atlantic.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
My childhood dream of sailing/ racing around the world. After a difficult 2020 I have decided the time is now to fulfil this.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
I plan to complete the solo experiences I have set myself and make sure I’m in the best fitness I can be. I have Ulcerative Colitis so I will have to make sure that I have the appropriate medication for the duration of the event. Ultimately I need to find the right boat and get some solo experience.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge will be the southern ocean as this is completely different to anything I have/ will have experienced before with new hazards. Another challenge will be making sure I can manage my ulcerative colitis for the duration of the event.
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.
I don’t currently have a boat but I am hopping to either buy a Rustler, Hallberg Rassey or Oyster to complete my challenge. My size range will be 35- 45 ft.
Do you intend to link this personal challenge with a social message?
I would like to raise awareness of the ongoing issues of plastic in the oceans and the over fishing of the oceans. But my main concentration will be on completing the challenge.
Sailing experience: 20+ years.
About the boat: TBA
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Text and Image courtesy of Global Solo Challenge