About The skipper
USA
Nationality
tba
Start date
Boat: Kawan3 - Pogo 40S - Class40 (Finot-Conq)
Lives: Annapolis, MD, USA
Born in: 1960
Miles sailed: 30.000+
Status: Full Entry
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
I bought my first boat, a 16-foot Snipe when I was sixteen years old. I taught myself how to restore, repair and sail her on lakes in the US Midwest. Making sailboats move, and move quickly, became a lifetime passion. I love being on the water. Whether cruising or racing, sailing presents constant challenges requiring full attention. An approaching squall, a snapped halyard, dead calm, an AlS target in heavy fog – all demand a level of focus and participation. In this day of constant digital distraction, the gift of being “present” is something I cherish and am grateful to experience every time the lines get tossed onto the dock.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
Preparation, humility, respect, acceptance, and the ability to laugh at oneself. Skills that make me a better person on and off the water. I long ago learned that yelling has no part in my sailing identity. Methodically thinking through challenges and solutions becomes a joyful exercise in patience.
As a lifelong learner, there is always something new to master, and I’m sure this adventure will offer a host of new lessons.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
Single-handing was my baptism and I figured the best way to learn was to simply “jump in”. So, making mistakes became second nature, and not repeating them vastly helped the learning curve. As I grew from dinghies to IOR and bigger boats, the situations were often the same, but the consequences became greater. My first short-handed ocean boat was a MiniTransat 6.50. It was a phenomenal Pogo II, that firmly planted solo sailing in my veins. An incredibly challenging and forgiving boat, I racked up thousands of ocean miles alone and with my son-in-law. I also made enduring friendships and learned that solo sailors traverse the oceans by themselves, but exist in a community that is like no other.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
I married my best friend nearly forty years ago. While we were still dating, I shared that I planned on sailing around the world at some point in my life. My then-fiance wasn’t exactly sure what to make of it, but never doubted that it would occur.
In the 1970’s I started reading books about the early solo circumnavigators and became enthralled. Always up for an adventure, it soon was added to my Life Checklist. As our family grew, and my profession and other interests occupied my time, I figured 2017 was a good target. Well, priorities and world events inevitably rearranged my schedule.
It took another 7 years to get to the point where I knew I was ready and it was time. The 2023 SC appealed to me, and I enthusiastically followed it, excited to see the Everyman competing in an event generally reserved for wealthy and professional sailors. Even though the GSC 2023 looked like the perfect opportunity, I knew I needed more preparation. The 2027 event will allow me to get my boat fully tuned and give me the ocean miles necessary to be 100% ready.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
I’m a big fan of Strategic Planning: Basically, start at the End Goal, and work backwards to your present state. It allows me to develop proper preparation, plan for contingencies, think through certain scenarios, and bounce ideas off experienced experts. The more prepared, the less surprises. I don’t mind surprises, as long as they are good ones.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
I expect staying focused will be a big challenge. I plan on developing a strong routine, to force myself to perform tasks even when I don’t want to. I’m also a people person, it will be challenging to be away from loved ones, family, friends, and coworkers for six months. But man, I expect to have some great stories to share upon my return.
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.
The original intention was to sail on my POGO 44 – one of the best fast cruisers available. But she would have required too many modifications to qualify. It was a difficult and gut-wrenching decision to part ways with her.
But in the end it turned out well. I’ll be sailing on Kawan, a Class 40 POGO S1 – hull #75. Another super-solid blue water boat from Structures in Combrit, France. Pogo’s build quality and customer service is second to none.
Kawan has already circumnavigated, finishing 5th in the 2023 GSC, skippered by my friend Francois Gouin. This boat has solid bones and is chomping at the bit for another pass in the Southern Ocean.
First though, she’ll go through a refit at Next Generation’s brand new Kiel shipyard. I plan on upgrading some instruments, reinforcing the hull and doing an extensive rewire. Kawan’s new lease on life should be completed in late summer of 2026.
Having put nearly 2000 miles on Kawan training and getting her to Next Generation’s facility, I already have bonded with Kawan. And I’m really looking forward to bringing her across the pond this fall for more training and some regattas in the Caribbean.
Then sail to Annapolis in the spring for final prep and cross back to Vigo for the GSC.
I’m proud to own my third Pogo and ready for the incredible adventures that lie ahead.
Do you intend to link this personal challenge to a social cause?
I do intend to support a special cause. Right now, with the expected media coverage and the outreach program I’II say
“The World is my Oyster.”
Sailing experience
Probably the greatest sailing achievement I can think of involves playing Pirate’s Dice, with my wife and three little kids, in Becquai’s Admiralty Bay, while sitting at anchor, after a beautiful storm. No podium finish can compare to that.
About The Boat
Sail Number: FRA 75
Boat design: Pogo 40S (Finot-Conq)
Year built: 2007
LOA: 40ft
Displacement: 4750 kgs
Upwind sail area: 115 m2
Downwind sail area: 275 m2
