Where does your passion for sailing come from?

My love of sailing touches every aspect of my life. Family is the foundation of my life. I met my former wife on a race boat. My daughters have been enamored by sailing since they were young and as adults are accomplished sailors who work in the industry. Many of my closest friends are sailors. The beauty of sailing captured me early and one of my favorite things about sailing offshore is that you get to enjoy every sunset and every sunrise. The insane temperament of the sea and the imperative of dealing with all its moods is a challenge I enjoy. The technical challenge of sailing offshore, from getting the speed out of the boat to preparing her for sea and keeping up with the sometimes complex repairs necessary offshore keep me fully engaged. The camaraderie of sailors is something I enjoy tremendously. And the teamwork required is inspiring, solo races are not solo. They require a small army of people to get the boat off of the dock. I like the whole pastiche.

What lessons has sailing taught you?

It would be better to ask: “What have you not learned from sailing?” I have learned patience, inquisitiveness, leadership, humility, and I have learned how much I have yet to learn. I have learned to be a bit of an athlete, my boat is a 40-foot long, 14-foot wide, 60-foot tall gymnasium that gets thrown around like a pinball. I have learned to seek advice and not judge any of it. I am a far better person for the challenges I have faced and the people I have met.

What brought you to like single-handed sailing?

Doublehanded deliveries back from the Mackinac races intrigued me, and when I learned of the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society’s Mac Solo Challenges, I signed up. After two of those races, I became determined to race solo around the world. I had a lot of sailing behind me, but just 660 miles of solo racing and scant ocean racing before I undertook the 2002 Around Alone Race. Shockingly, I finished the race and the lifelong hook was firmly set.

What motivated you to sign up for this event?

After racing solo around the world with stopovers, the next hurdle is to do it nonstop. The potential size of the fleet is attractive, it will be a better race because of it. The timing is both tight and right: depending on your perspective I have a whole year and a half to prepare. Or… I have only a year and a half to prepare. We shall see which perspective wins. I predict a tie.

How are you planning to prepare for this event?

That process is already underway. The deck has been repainted and the electronics are well sorted. I plan an aggressive shorthanded racing program this summer to get the boat and I both tuned up. Then she comes out this fall for a thorough mechanical overhaul, along with some additional cockpit protection.

What do you think will be the greatest challenge?

Simply put: crossing the starting line. Fundraising will be the biggest challenge, the boats all need a lot of sailing and safety upgrades, mine included.

Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.

I have a 2007 Owens-Clarke Class40. It is in many ways a sistership of Cole Brauer’s First Light and the boat that David Linger and now Ronnie Simpson have. Mine is #34 and was built as a Category 0 boat, so much of the preparation that other boats need is already baked in. It’s a sturdy boat and I am confident that the boat can handle the challenge.

Sailing achievements or racing palmarès

My first offshore races were the Port Huron and Chicago to Mackinac Races. My first solo races were with the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society’s Solo Mac Challenges, my first and formative solo races. I competed in the 2002–2003 Around Alone Race on a Jim Antrim-designed Open 50, a wonderful boat. I finished in second place in Class 2, a much better result than I ever expected. After that race, I shifted my sailing primarily to the ocean. I have sailed in the Newport to Bermuda Race, Marblehead to Halifax, Bermuda 1-2, Annapolis to Newport and many other shorter offshore races.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I published a book about competing in the Around Alone Race called A Boat Shaped Mind. Pick up a copy from Amazon!