Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Giancarlo Pedote in the Vendée Globe: "I'm tackling each day as if it were the first"

by Giancarlo Pedote 7 Jan 2021 17:25 UTC 7 January 2021
Giancarlo Pedote, Prysmian Group - Vendée Globe © Jean-Marie Liot

Having rounded the legendary Cape Horn on Tuesday at 01:12 UTC after a little over 57 days of racing, Giancarlo Pedote is back in the Atlantic. However, he still has over 6,000 miles to sail till he reaches Les Sables d'Olonne.

As such, there's still a long way to go and the skipper of Prysmian Group is well aware that concentration remains a prerequisite, especially given the fact that the trade wind has yet to properly establish itself in the South Atlantic and the weather sequences are proving to be particularly complicated to follow.

Within this context, as the skipper often reminds us, there's still all to play for and anything can happen. Be that as it may, he already has a massive chunk of his round the world in his wake since, not without emotion, he has now rounded the three major capes that make up the course.

So here we have a Cape Horner! Indeed, on Tuesday of this week, Giancarlo Pedote rounded the legendary rock in ninth position in the Vendée Globe. With the switch from the Pacific to the Atlantic always a difficult transition offshore of Tierra del Fuego, it will most certainly remain a key marker in the sailor's career.

"Rounding the Horn is synonymous with a great deal of work and sacrifice. It's not the rounding itself that is so symbolic, rather it's the realisation of all that has been achieved to get to that point, which is something that people don't always fully grasp. The hours spent on land pouring over every minute detail, setting up a team, forging a special bond with a partner, choosing a boat and the time needed to get a feel for it... Ultimately, there are various stages which lead us to Cape Horn and inevitably, the moment you get beyond that point, you feel yourself tearing up just thinking about it", explained the Italian skipper, who has had to deal with a veritable flood of emotions offshore of the Argentinean promontory.

"That's why I've been focusing so hard on what I was doing and avoiding getting philosophical", underlined the Florentine, for whom the Horn very much lived up to its reputation, with gusts of nearly 50 knots on heavy, messy seas.

A work in progress

"Obviously rounding the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn, editor's note) is quite something, but the most important thing remains to finish this Vendée Globe. Crossing the finish line in Les Sables d'Olonne is what will give the project its true meaning and when you're racing, you never know how things are going to play out", said the skipper of Prysmian Group who typically likes to keep a cool head.

"I must keep calm and focused and not let up one iota in terms of managing the boat", added Giancarlo, not dissatisfied to have hooked back up with some much more manageable sea conditions since his return to the Atlantic.

"It's a kind of relief to me. The last few days in the Pacific had become exhausting due to the icy temperatures, the pervasive humidity, the strong wind, the swell and the cross sea... To sum it up, we had a massive dose of all the things you don't always want!" quipped the sailor, who is currently making headway in around fifteen knots of NNW'ly wind on relatively calm and well-ordered seas.

"It's fantastic to rediscover quieter conditions, to be able to eat calmly and, when you're at the chart table, to be able to press down on the mouse at the right time and not when a wave dictates", commented Giancarlo with his familiar humour, clearly relishing the fact that he can once again enjoy a little bit of comfort aboard his 60-footer, though he is in no way playing down what's still to come on his journey around the world.

"There is still a massive chunk of the racetrack left to devour. It's all to play for. I'm tackling each day as if it were the first of my round the world. To my mind, it'll only be a done deal once I've crossed the finish line and not a moment before. At that point, I'll be able to say, 'job done', but until that time it remains a 'work in progress'".

The home straight for Giancarlo and the 1 CLICK = 1M of cable projects

Commencing at the start of the Vendée Globe, the "1 click = 1 m" projects enable 1m of electric cable to be collected for the Électriciens sans Frontières' operation for every click on Giancarlo PEDOTE's social networks. It's an INCLUSIVE operation championed by a sailor in SOLO format.

Starting with a secondary school in Senegal and then a hospital in Madagascar, the operation will also provide help to schools in N'grouli and Bawelessi in Togo. Today, the students in these villages are struggling with their education due to the absence of lighting. At the same time, the villages' inhabitants are spending a great deal of money on buying the fuel for their paraffin lamps.

The latest project involves the implementation of a photovoltaic installation to:

  • power the classes with electricity and provide light in the school
  • set up a recharging station for sun lamps as alternatives to paraffin lamps, resulting in substantial savings for the inhabitants
  • train up the inhabitants so they know how to maintain and make effective use of the electrical installations themselves.

Related Articles

Texas State Record Tuna Caught 160 Miles Offshore
Crew on an Invincible 46 cat land 884 pound Atlantic bluefin tuna after five hour fight An 884-pound Atlantic bluefin tuna—the new Texas state record—was landed after a five-hour battle by a team aboard "Catillac," an Invincible 46' Catamaran, 160+ miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Posted on 25 Apr
Marine Auctions: April Online Auctions
Bidding to open on Wednesday 23 April Bidding to open on Wednesday 23 April and will close Tuesday 29th April at 2pm AEST Posted on 12 Apr
Staying in your lane – a Robertson and Caine story
Boat building is quite happy to hand out Degrees from the University of Hard Knocks at will It's not an easy thing, this boat building caper. It is quite happy to hand out Degrees from the University of Hard Knocks, at will, and frequently. Much like on-the-spot fines from an overzealous parking inspector. Posted on 10 Apr
Michael Rybovich & Sons construction updates
Progress on hulls from 82', 62' down to 42' New construction updates of 70' S/F Hull # 9, 42' S/F hull #10, 75' S/F hull #11, 82' S/F - Hull # 12. Posted on 3 Apr
Time to nerd out a bit
Possibly a big bit, as it turns out. Historically we know I am up for it, but how about you? Possibly a big bit, as it turns out. Anyway, historically we know I am up for it, but how about you? Right oh. Unequivocally, the greater electrification space is not just THE hot topic presently, it also changes at a prodigious rate. Posted on 3 Apr
Top 10 baits from the Harris Chain
While many anglers didn't rely on whole tackle box, a lot of different baits worked for the field The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southern Division event at the Harris Chain on March 27-29 was dominated by two things: Dylan Quilatan and Lake Apopka. Posted on 3 Apr
Bayliss Boatworks new construction updates
Big Deal is reaching significant milestones Big Deal is reaching significant milestones, starting with a major exterior update. Posted on 2 Apr
Nautically inspired jewellery from Angela Lago
Beautifully made nautical-inspired jewellery There's something we all seem to share as true lovers of the sea—especially those of us drawn to the nautical world. It's a deep connection with authenticity, nature, and the undeniable pull of freedom. Posted on 2 Apr
Maritimo M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht Reveal Trailer
Maritimo M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht, a masterpiece that seamlessly combines luxury and innovation Discover the allure of the Maritimo M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht, a masterpiece that seamlessly combines luxury and innovation. Drawing inspiration from Maritimo's flagship models, this yacht offers a unique blend of elegance and functionality. Posted on 1 Apr
Marine Auctions: April Online Auctions
Bavaria 32 sailing yacht, Williams 36 motor cruiser and much more Up for auction: Bavaria 32 sailing yacht, Williams 36 motor cruiser, Mustang 2800 powerboat, Cobalt 243 cuddy cabin, Monterey 270 cruiser, Arber 9 sailing catamaran, and much more. Posted on 1 Apr
Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts