The ocean, a fantastic coach

Still being propelled along in a sustained SW’ly wind on a chaotic sea right in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Giancarlo Pedote is continuing his race, trying to handle his steed as carefully as possible whilst keeping his spirits on a relatively even keel. However, it’s not easy to get a fix on things after a month of racing and such testing conditions. “There is no stock recipe for staying good humoured. When things are at their toughest, I remind myself that I’m the one that chose to set sail on this round the world, that it’s something I really wanted to do. My family is helping me to hold my course. It gives me a massive boost to speak with my children and my wife. I’m also lucky to have lots of friends who send messages to spur me on. That helps me to pass the time when it starts to drag and to keep a positive mindset”, explains the skipper of Prysmian Group, who’s demonstrating rare strength in the face of the elements and keeping a lid on any doubts for the most part. “If you have problems on land, they’re obviously not going to improve when you’re at sea. On a personal level, I was lucky enough to set sail in the knowledge that everything was in the best possible order, which gives me peace of mind with being away. Obviously that doesn’t stop me from going through the whole range of emotions at sea. What we’re experiencing gives us so much joy, satisfaction and fear… Over recent days, it’s been slamming a great deal and I’ll doubtless feel happier once there’s a moment of calm and I can have a shower, even if the water is at 10°! It’ll be a very bracing Finnish-style affair, but it’ll do me good!” enthuses the Italian sailor, who knows that this adventure is bound to transform him. “Patience is not my strong point normally, but at sea, within a context like this, you soon learn. The ocean is a fantastic coach! Sometimes you cry, but that does you good, especially in this world, where we learn that crying is a sign of weakness, especially for men. At sea in solo format, you’re free to express and live out your feelings as you see fit”, concludes Giancarlo