Skipper Ian Herbert-Jones prepares for sea trials ahead of the 2022 Golden Globe Race
by Hannah Cotterell, savvy navvy 11 Jun 2021 15:37 BST
Puffin © savvy navvy
An epic feat of human endurance
In 2022 35 sailors will race 30,000 miles non-stop, alone, around the world with no outside assistance.
Often referred to as the world's toughest challenge of human endurance, the Golden Globe Race (GGR) requires sailors to spend around 300 days alone at sea, racing through some of the most unforgiving environments in the world, using only the technology that was available to skippers in the inaugural 1968 edition of the Sunday Times race. We have all experienced a feeling of isolation over the COVID-19 pandemic which must surely put into perspective the magnitude of the solitary nature of this race.
Sailors will be required to navigate with a traditional sextant and paper charts, without the support of electronic instruments or autopilots. They will write their own logs, evaluate the weather themselves and only occasionally will they be permitted to speak with loved ones over the radio,
Meet Former British Army engineer and business exec, Ian Herbert-Jones
At the young age of seventeen, Ian left home in search of adventure, he found it in the British Army where he joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
The Army is actually how Ian first got introduced to sailing, where the sport was used for adventure training and character building across all the services. Little did Ian know sailing could also be just for fun!
Ian later went on to enter the 2007-2008 edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, a 40,000 nautical mile race around the world. After completing the circumnavigation Ian was hooked, not only on ocean racing but on the prospect of going around again, this time alone.
The boat, say hello to Puffin
Istvan Kopar finished the 2018 Golden Globe Race, crossing the finish line in 4th place on his Tradewind 35, Puffin. Ian bought Puffin from Istvan with the intention of investing in a "race-proven" boat, to give him the best chance of success in 2022.
Throughout 2019 and 2020 (even with the pandemic) Ian has been doing a complete overhaul of Puffin to make her faster, stronger and more resilient for her next round the world voyage. Now that we are well into 2021 Ian is now planning rigorous sea trials, with some extended offshore passages over the coming months, using the GGR specification of sextant based navigation and windvane steering.
Traditional and modern navigation working in harmony
You may have heard that Ian is an ambassador for us here at savvy navvy. Why we hear you ask? What place does a modern navigation app have in a race that is solely about traditional navigation and seamanship? Well, it turns out quite a lot, as Ian has been using the app to plan his sail training sessions. When planning a trip savvy navvy suggests the best route to take based on the weather forecast, chart information, tidal data and boat settings. By cross-checking traditional navigation with savvy navvy Ian has been able to see how closely his manual navigation has come to the predicted "optimal route".
Could you be a Title Partner for Ian Herbert-Jones Sailing?
It's not often you find a tech and PR savvy entrepreneur who's also an avid adventurer, but it's safe to say Ian is all of those things. If you're interested in finding out how to team up with Ian, join his campaign to the start line of the GGR or anything else, click here for details.
Follow the journey
To quote Ian, "I've probably never spent more than 24 hours in my own company, but strangely that aspect of the race doesn't worry me. I know the Golden Globe is going to be all about endurance, both physical and mentally, but the best piece of advice I've been given so far is that it's simply about 'doing fewer things wrong'.
"The moto of my old Army unit was Arte et Marte, By Skill and By Fighting, certainly seems appropriate now for this race."
If you love being addicted to race trackers or get a kick from following incredible adventures, this is definitely one to watch. Check out all the action via Ian's website and social media channels here.
Find out more about savvy navvy and our fantastic ambassadors over on our website!