CLIFF EDGE

SOLO ROUND THE WORLD SKIPPER TAPIO LEHTINEN HAS A NARROW-MISS WHEN SLEEP DEPRIVED ON THE GOLDEN GLOBE RACE

- 

Ten years or so ago I was contacted by a Finnish yachtsman, Tapio Lehtinen, who was seeking assistance with his studies of astronavigation. He was obliged to become a master of this ancient art to take part in the 2018 solo Golden Globe Race around the world. For the event, boats had to be typical of those available for the late 1960s race won by Robin Knox-Johnston, and navigation was to be by traditional methods. Tapio’s yacht in the inaugural event was plagued with gooseneck barnacles, which severely restricted his speed and upwind sailing ability, yet he was among only five that finished.

Determined to be competitive, Tapio decided to have another go at the race in 2022. He sailed the same boat, the Gaia 36 Asteria which, although the oldest yacht entered, was better fitted out this time as Tapio had learned much from the earlier race. Asteria performed perfectly, all the way until she was to sink in circumstances of some mystery well down in the Southern Hemisphere. Tapio’ story of this mighty effort is told in his latest book, The Last Voyage of Asteria. Here he’s on passage between Lanzarote and Cape Verde. There’s a sharp lesson in the results of sleep deprivation, but we end with an insight into a thoughtful and warm-hearted individual who never gives up.

After waving goodbye to Don [McIntyre, race organiser] & Co outside Marina Rubicon, I head west. The other alternative would have been to head south on the eastern side of Fuerteventura, but I trusted the wind to be stronger and more stable to the west, due to the funnelling effect in the sound between the eastern shore of Gran Canaria and western shore of Fuerteventura. The lighthouse at the north-western corner of Fuerteventura warns mariners of shoals that extend far out from the island. Reaching with full genoa and mainsail, I sail for a bit over two hours before the lighthouse is abeam, leaving plenty of room between us and the shoals.