Mike Golding seems to be just as calm at sea as on dry land and when he stepped off his Owen Clarke Design yesterday evening at the pontoon in Port Olona, the British yachtsman was smiling and quite willing to answer our questions during a quick interview...
On Sunday 9th November, it will be the start of your seventh round the world voyage, the right way, the wrong way, solo or with a crew!
«I´m very lucky to be given this opportunity of sailing around the world in so many races. I´m pleased to be flying the colours of Ecover in this sixth Vendée Globe, which is my third. I have already won a round the world race, but it was with a crew: My mission this time is therefore to do it alone! Winning this racewould be the greatest moment of my yachting career… I´ll do my best.»
What has changed in sailing around the world over the years?
«Sailing has progressed considerably: it´s easier today, as I can remember the time, when we had to use the sextant! Now you push a few buttons and you have a computer on board to answer all your questions… I like that though, as while that has changed our way of doing things, it´s more exciting, because there is more information, and requires more thought: it´s much more open, more fascinating.»
The boats have changed too!
«Yachts have changed but the way they sail is still the same. It´s still just as violent! You have to be careful, as the hulls are more radical, there is more sail, but on the other hand, the winches are bigger and more powerful! These are great boats that I would call safe, more seaworthy, less capricious than the previous generations. They are hard to sail and require more attention, but you feel more confidence on board. I can clearly see the difference from my previous Group 4, which was almost as powerful, but not as safe!»
Let´s talk about sleep on these noisy boats: how much sleep can you get each day sailing around the world?
«That all depends, but in general I sleep from 15 minutes to half an hour (at the most an hour) and in all each day I have around five and a half hours of rest for the three months of sailing. In practice, I prefer sleeping at night, as there is so much to do during the day with DIY jobs and maintenance and that is easier, when it is light. However, that can suddenly change, if conditions alter. I have a daily schedule with a must-do list, time to rest and time to sail… »
What hasn´t changed in the circumnavigation?
« The wind. The ocean. But it is very difficult to describe how you are shaken about in the storms and cold weather and what it is like when you are quite alone… A lot of things change in your everyday life on board. It´s a different life. While technology has evolved, and boats are faster, when you set sail around the oceans, you still find yourself alone! That is something that never changes… »
«I´m very lucky to be given this opportunity of sailing around the world in so many races. I´m pleased to be flying the colours of Ecover in this sixth Vendée Globe, which is my third. I have already won a round the world race, but it was with a crew: My mission this time is therefore to do it alone! Winning this racewould be the greatest moment of my yachting career… I´ll do my best.»
What has changed in sailing around the world over the years?
«Sailing has progressed considerably: it´s easier today, as I can remember the time, when we had to use the sextant! Now you push a few buttons and you have a computer on board to answer all your questions… I like that though, as while that has changed our way of doing things, it´s more exciting, because there is more information, and requires more thought: it´s much more open, more fascinating.»
The boats have changed too!
«Yachts have changed but the way they sail is still the same. It´s still just as violent! You have to be careful, as the hulls are more radical, there is more sail, but on the other hand, the winches are bigger and more powerful! These are great boats that I would call safe, more seaworthy, less capricious than the previous generations. They are hard to sail and require more attention, but you feel more confidence on board. I can clearly see the difference from my previous Group 4, which was almost as powerful, but not as safe!»
Let´s talk about sleep on these noisy boats: how much sleep can you get each day sailing around the world?
«That all depends, but in general I sleep from 15 minutes to half an hour (at the most an hour) and in all each day I have around five and a half hours of rest for the three months of sailing. In practice, I prefer sleeping at night, as there is so much to do during the day with DIY jobs and maintenance and that is easier, when it is light. However, that can suddenly change, if conditions alter. I have a daily schedule with a must-do list, time to rest and time to sail… »
What hasn´t changed in the circumnavigation?
« The wind. The ocean. But it is very difficult to describe how you are shaken about in the storms and cold weather and what it is like when you are quite alone… A lot of things change in your everyday life on board. It´s a different life. While technology has evolved, and boats are faster, when you set sail around the oceans, you still find yourself alone! That is something that never changes… »
