The Global Challenge Yacht Race
The Global Challenge is dubbed ‘The World’s Toughest Yacht Race’ because it is for amateur crews and sails ‘the wrong way’ around the world; against the prevailing conditions, past Cape Horn and twice into the Southern Ocean, covering 35,000 miles.
In 2004/5 Team Stelmar experienced the biggest challenge of all the boats, suffering from two separate medical evacuations in the Southern Ocean and as a result had to sail an extra two thousand miles. However they also celebrated two podium places, won the most trophies overall and set a new speed record for this class of boat.
Core crew from the Global Challenge: the ‘World’s Toughest Yacht Race’, raced 35,000 miles the ‘wrong way’ around the world, competing against 11 other 72’ yachts. The race lasted for ten months, including 187 days at sea, 75 of which were spent in the notoriously freezing and dangerous Southern Ocean.
Immediately in at the deep end with a Force 8 gale and a ‘man overboard’ within ten hours of the race starting they then suffered the heat of the tropics and waterspouts as they crossed the equator and doldrums. Trying to get enough sleep in their bunks within the 45º C steel hull was a challenge in itself.
Then, in circumnavigating Cape Horn to New Zealand, the crew had the misfortune of not one but TWO medical evacuations and spent 54 days battling the 40’ waves and icy storms to Wellington. When they arrived they were greeted with a hero’s welcome, 3 weeks after all the other boats, having had to sail an extra 3000 miles to drop off their sick team-mates.
The crew experienced some huge highs and huge lows during the Global Challenge. The crew won the most Awards and came out of it the toughest and closest team out of the 12, having suffered the trauma of their daunting 2nd leg around Cape Horn.
They had to dig very deep during the challenge and developed an inner strength, a determinedly competitive attitude, and massive tolerance and perseverance.
