Global Challenge

World's Toughest Yacht Race

Josef Chmielowski Presenting

The third in our winter lecture series was a presentation by Josef Chmielowski entitled Global Challenge – World’s Toughest Yacht Race.  Joe vividly recounted his crewing experience aboard the BP Global Challenge boat on the 2004 Southern ocean leg.

The Global Challenge is a different race where 12 identical 72ft steel ocean racing yachts sail 'the wrong way' around the world - against the prevailing winds and currents. Each boat is crewed by 17 ordinary men and women led by a professional skipper. The race starts in Portsmouth, England. Enroute they stop in Buenos Aires, Wellington, Sydney, Cape Town, Boston and La Rochelle before returning to Portsmouth some ten months later. Conditions in the overall race range from the calms and energy-sapping heat of the doldrums to icebergs, storms and the monumental seas of the southern ocean, where Joe crewed. 

Joe explained the process of application and selection for any prospective future crew.  His stories and slide presentation was entertaining and insightful as he likened the experience to life aboard a large motor home driven on 2-side wheels by a crazy driver over frost heaves, wild turns and with constant braking and accelerating.  In addition, Joe was kind enough to bring in his multi-layering Musto foul weather gear and answered questions from the crowd. 

The turnout was great though our Sailing Inc. crowd was held back due to weather.  A BIG thanks to the BP Energy Center and Josef for volunteering his time for this fund-raising event.

To learn more about the Global Challenge go to http://www.globalchallenge2004.com/en