What propels an adult of allegedly “sound mind & body” to spend a year building a 19 foot plywood boat in a cramped garage and then sail it solo across the Atlantic? From learning to sail with Glenans in Baltimore, Co Cork, sailing his classic Nicholson 32 out of Poolbeg, to years of reading and dreaming about long distance solo voyaging, Jim Schofield finally called his own bluff and took part in the first Globe 5.80 Transatlantic Race in November, 2021.
The McIntyre Globe 5.80 design was created by Australian voyager and adventurer Don McIntyre to bring Mini Transit-style campaigning within the realm of independent sailors with minimal resources. Despite all of the difficulties posed by Covid lockdowns, Jim, of Blessington, Co Wicklow, completed his boat Molly Claire, in the nick of time to trailer it down to Lagos in Portugal for the qualifying race to Lanzarotte.
Jim arrived in Martinique early on Christmas morning having sailed over a distance of more than 3,500 miles. Thirty to thirty-five knot winds and 3-4 metre seas were a feature of the earlier stage of the race before the trade winds set in bringing hot and sunny days with consistent wind and wave. However, there were also frequent squally winds at night “to keep me on my toes” recounts Jim. In recognition of Jim’s achievement he was nominated afloat.ie January 2022 Offshore Sailor of the Month.
8 апр 2022
