The Shocking True Story of Bernard Moitessier (Golden Globe Race) 

Derek that was just so so good. What a story what a guy Bernhard was. Have to say I wouldnt have been pleased if I backed him to win haha!. But so well told and the production values werent lost on me, they were brilliant. I can only imagine the time and effort you put in to it. One small point is you mentioned Alex Carrotso but he wasnt pictured amongst the others but probably because hes hard to find being such a long tima ago as I tried searching myself?. This series is steller and quite out of the blue to your norm so its great to see you are diversifying the content. Im looking forward to the next one.

Very glad to have found this piece you put together. I first learned of Bernard Moitessier in the book A Voyage For Madmen. In it, the book uncovered somehistory of each participant in the Golden Globe Race including when Bernard and Francoise decided to return from Tahiti to France. They sailed around the Horn as opposed to the longer, albeit safter route of heading west and through the Suez Canel to return to France. The Logical Route was the book he wrote about the return to France from Tahiti prior to the GGR. The ebbs and flows of his state of mind reflect in part, the internal struggle between his far east upbringing and the fame he had found. He was clearly one with the wind and sea and remains an inspiration to so many. One part of that race that many don't realize is that Nigel Tetely had already crossed his outward track in the Atlantic and had in fact, circled the globe non-stop prior to the sinking of his boat. Thinking that Donald Crowhurst in his 'faster trimaran' was hot on his heals, Nigel pushed his boat harder to get to the finish. Having already been in a weakened state, the damaged bow of the port hull finally broke away and in doing so, it holed the main hull. Nigel's race was over. The false reporting of Donald led to Nigel pushing his boat too hard. All Nigel really had to do was nurse his boat back to the UK to win the fastest time award. Given the circumstances behind the sinking of Victress and the actual accomplishment of Nigel Tetely, it is a shame he didn't get more recognition. A few years after the GGR, Nigel committed suicide.

I'm feeling so inspired to be making this new series and I hope you guys are enjoying it. THANK YOU for all your kind and interesting comments on the last video (and this one). I really appreciate it more than you will know ;) Derek

His account of how a school of dolphins saved him South of Tasmania has stayed with me for 50 years of my 80. What a man. Thanks for this doccy.. Much appreciated .. especially since our recent🇿🇦Golden Globe winner ❤️ in Minnehaha.

As a professional yacht skipper, once hugely inspired by those taking part in the Golden Globe race, (yes, I'm that old), I have experienced a tiny fraction of what Moitessier was feeling during his time alone at sea. It's important to remember that he grew up in an environment (now we know as Vietnam), a culture very far removed from the grabbing, acquisitive culture of the west. He owned and skippered his own junk-rigged trading vessel while barely out of his teens, we can't judge his ideas and passions by our western standards, his was a more gentle world of acceptance of the universe and what it offered. I've on occasion, after only three weeks at sea, felt discomfort and resentment that my rythm and routine is now about to be interrupted by the technicalities and navigational problems of entering a port, of dealing with the trivia of complying with pointless paperwork and the bustle of people, and I grew up in London ! No, there was no issue of 'madness', certainly not the loss of rational experienced by Crowhurst, even Crowhurst would have survived his experience had Nigel Tetley's trimaran not broken up under the pressure of being too hard pushed. In any case, we shouldn't try to judge these people by the standards of those who live quiet lives at 17 Acacia Ave, and retire to the garden centers. They're different people from birth.

I had the pleasure of sailing with Bernard Moitessier in Tahiti and on to New Zealand I think it was 1969. We kind of clicked as friends when he saw me intensely inspecting his vessel careened on the beach. I had built several steel boats myself so we had a lot in common. Wonderful man and I have many fond memories of him. We were diving off the reefs near Papeete. I speared a fish and immediately got Bernard's attention to get out of the water because of the sharks now circling us. Bernard signaled me he was going to stay for a bit longer. I was quite shocked to see Bernard punching the shark in the snout and eyes. When he finally got out of the water I asked if he had a death wish, to which he replied it was safe to do that because sharks do not like that at all!

I reread The Long Road almost every year because to me it's like a spiritual cleanser. I don't always agree with Moitessier views about society (we're all the products of our era after all) but when it comes to sailing, understanding the ocean & the unbreakable bond between a man & his boat, he was a master. I'm glad that Joshua is well taken care of to these days because that "piece of junk" brought so much to so many people around the world. It's a very special vessel. RIP Bernard, I hope you found what you were looking for. 💙 from France.

Am a few years 2 late with this comment but will be following your channel from here on in what an amazing man Bernard wasindeed.

An enjoyable overview of the story. There is much more though as in Moitessier's youth and experiences of war in Indo China which was more of a motivator to escape to sea and find solace. The story of his beloved boat Joshua too who he believed had a soul and with whom he felt at one with. Joshua was eventually wrecked in a storm while Moitessier was in California in his later years and he didn't have the means to salvage her so had to reluctantly abandon Joshua on the beach. Eventually Joshua was rescued and restored and Moitessier did get to meet Joshua again. Ironically Joshua ultimately outlived Bernard. I am not sure if madness affected his decision to abandon the Golden Globe race either. From reading his book 'The Long Way' I interpreted it more of a spiritual epiphany which made him reject the values of civilization but also not wishing to return to land where he was haunted by his past memories of wartime. It's a facinating story! One of my favourite parts of The Long Way is when a school of Dolphins accompanying Joshua and Bernard start behaving strangely and repeatedly veering off to one side wildly. Bernard is puzzled and it prompts him to check his course only to find he was about to run Joshua into a submerged reef. He believed the Dolphins were warning him.

Merci pour ce bel hommage à Bernard Moitessier .

Moitessier is a true Inspiration to many. His books are still available with the proceeds going to his surviving family: The Long Way, Tamata and the Alliance, Vagabond, and more

As a solo sailor who has always been deeply inspired by Bernard, I really appreciated this video. You really went the extra mile with this one. Well done. And thank you.

Excellent choice of story. So cool you recognized as so few have the true hero of that amazing race. Anything that brings attention to the present Golden Globe race is also good as it is a true race of man against nature that just about anyone can afford to enguage in as opposed to the millions in sponsorship money needed in all the other sailing races.It is literally the only Ocean Sailing Race I have any interest in. Cheers and good luck...Kim 69 years old retired offshore Tugman now cruising these past 12 years and now in Indonesia aboard my 39' Southern Cross Sloop

Moitessier is a legend. The First Voyage of Joshua is inspirational. I don't think at any time Moitessier was mad. He was on a different level.

I had completely forgotten about this fantastic story- thank you so much indeed . I even have his book somewhere , I must dig it out and read it again. From a new Subscriber .

I did read the book went I was a little boy Bernard Moitissier a genuine human been very inspiring...a beautiful spiritual journey. Robin Knox great sailor a true gentleman he won the golden race and gave the price 💰to charity. As a little boy ...was Bernard that won the race for me,still today.

Great video - thanks for posting! Bernard's book "The Long Way" has a permanent place aboard my sailboat and I read it at least once a year. It reminds me to be Human and to try to connect with the Universe. Fair winds, Capt. Blackheart Charlie s/v Aurora

Moitessier, was clearly going to win this fantastic race. By continuing another half circumnavigation he became a legend .

That was a fantastic episode Derek! How about doing a similar episode on the “Totorore Voyage”? In 1983 at the age of 56, Gerry Clark set out from New Zealand in his 10 metre home built wooden yacht to circumnavigate Antarctica in a quest for new information about seabirds. In this graphic account of the ensuing 3 year 8 month voyage, he describes his adventures in some of the remotest, wildest and most spectacularly beautiful parts of the world. It is one of the most remarkable small boat adventure of all time and not many people know about him.

Little precision which appeared in his last book : Moitessier had grown in 2 cultures, he got very well along with the Viets, but when the Indochina war broke out ..... he joined the French and fought against the Viets until ...... his brother killed a Vietnamese local community leader, and realizing what he had done , committed suicide. THIS is the shock that he spent most of his life trying to understand. His long sea adventures are the results of a permanent internal struggle.

Love all of it about Sailing out of civilization to the unknown seas' which give a new and different excitement to our regularly-overscheduled land locked very dull lives.

What a great tale. Definitely reading that book.

That was incredible Derek!! What a story, I would never have heard of it but for your video.. 👍👍 Thanks!!

Bernard Moitessier... he changed the direction of my life... his book Long way change my understandings and woke up the curiousity in me. To see more, to remember more, to speak with more people and learn and think. To breathing deeper And living lifer. Very good video Derek, thanks.

Great job Derek. Nicely edited, researched and delivered and well paced. Thanks for bringing this mans life to light.

Loved it derek,you tell it brilliantly ,i am going to watch it again tomorrow,cheers

Nice video, thank you. There's another interesting french sailor, that is Marcel BARDIAUX who was the 1st to pass the cap Horn from east to west... also Vito Dumas...

Great video Derek. An amazing story. Robin Knox's story is also amazing. I think when it comes to adventure and exploration sailing is the ultimate, and with the minimal technology back in the day those men were brave and skilled beyond belief. Inspirational. Thanks for sharing

Well that's an amazing story, and thanks for putting it out there!

Thank you for your beautiful video ❤

Even a Brit should know that: ."Joshua Slocum (February 20, 1844[1] - on or shortly after November 14, 1909) was the first person to sail single-handedly around the world. He was a Nova Scotian-born, naturalised American seaman and adventurer, and a noted writer. In 1900 he wrote a book about his journey, Sailing Alone Around the World, which became an international best-seller.". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Slocum

Wonderful story, well told. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for your relaying this to us. I’d add an unimportant detail: the first person to sail alone around the world was Joshua Slocum. But Joshua stopped many times. The race referenced in your video was meant to immortalize the first individual to sail NON-stop around the world. Bernard named his boat after Joshua Slocum.

He saved his soul with a slingshot. Brilliant

Came across his story while listening to a podcast. The Courage he had to turn his back on winning the race so he could save his soul is really admirable. ❤

I'm just about to read his book "The Long Way", so great introduction. He was mentioned in Knox Johnson's book and was an enigma worth pursuing. Smashing video.

Fantastic story Derek. I love that he allowed the sea to dictate if he would finish the race or go east. He wasn’t going to be conformed to the rules or lure of fame and fortune. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

Well done lovely video, I have the boat and am getting her ready to do the same within 2years, I am up grading her for the voyage ,shake down cruise around Iceland next June 😀 solo .

What an inspiring story. I had never heard of him before. Your talent in visually complementing your words is superb. I'm going to watch the McCandless one now! I've heard of him, read the book and watched the movie. Another inspiring story! Keep it up Derek!

Thanks so much Derek as I’m learning an awful lot through your videos. I really enjoy the story on Bernard battling the high seas all around the world just fascinating to me

Hi Derek, you have talent to put all the pieces together and create amazing message.. lovely story and incredible video. :-)

That was great 👍 fair play Derek 😊 I'd never heard of this story at all. What a wise man at the end of it all, I think we could all learn a little something from this man. Do what you love and makes you happy and do it for yourself, no one else. Loving this series so far 👍 cheers 😊👏👏👆

Well done mate!

Instead of winning, choose to not give a f**k and just continue doing what he loves. True free man, what a sailor, what a legend

Great story Derek 👏🏻

Hi Derek, really enjoyed the first 2 videos in the new series. Keep them coming!

Thank you for this. I had never heard this remarkable story.

I followed the race in the Sunday Times weekly and I also got photos of the different boats from London. It was very interesting and I remember clearly Bernhard broke the race. when Robin Knox Johnston was missing for a time and Donald Crowhursts fake perticipation in his cat which ended with suiside. Bernhards boat was built in steel with wooden masts if I remember correct.

This man was my hero and he made me want to sail . 👍

Wow. Great story Derek.

The map at 3.53, is wrong: he sailed from Tahiti to France via Cape Horn and not viceversa.

Fantastic Video!!! Very well done!!

In 1973, the United Kingdom organized the first head to head sailing race around the world, inviting expert crews from Europe and other countries against each other. The Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, today the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race took the sport to its limits. The British Royal Navy purchased six yachts to train 800 man and chose the best four 10-man crews for each of the four legs of the race, yet, an inexperienced Mexican man also signed up. In his fifties, with a crew that included his wife, son, family and friends. His name, Ramon Carlín. A docu" the weekend Sailor " is a Most!

Great video mate, similar to yourself I came across this story while reading another one and what a rabbit hole! I find it very interesting that such extended periods of isolation and essentially lack of stimulation such as a round the world sailing trip can either send someone into an irrecoverable depression, or give them a spiritual rebirth (as is the case here)

Very interesting video. Thank you! Greetings from Germany. RIP Wilfried Erdmann who passed away this week.

WoW what a great inspirational man Bernard was just amazing, Derek you put together that story so well really loved it keep up the good work 👏👏

great video. I immediately subscribed to your inspiriting channel, walking through Ireland.... and the I bought an old copy of The Long Way, I too hear the faint call of the infinite soul.

Hello Derek great program I love your enthusiasm and I must say your accent seals the deal for me I spent time in Europe as a child that was magical in the early 80s BUT I never made it north of England I’m 50 years old now and one day would love to visit Ireland and Scotland on my way to the far east to dig up my roots …keep up the great work and you got a new sub and friend God bless you and all the works of your hands brother.

I love it,, your stories are absolutely good..

Truly fascinating and inspiring, thank you for your channel!!!🙏👍👻

I have his book The Long Way, Inspiring read.

In le route longue, Montessier clearly writes that he ditched the race when he learned how far ahead Knox Johnson was, to sail around the world a second time and go to Tahiti. ... No one was going to buy books by the guy whose greatest achievement was coming in second! The only second worth reading about was his second lap around the world !

Another amazing story

Nice one Derek! Excellent stuff.

03:41 Note routing is incorrect. Moitessier's return voyage was via Cape Horn ~ (The Longue Route). His passage to Polynesia was through Panama by way of Galapagos.

Absoulutly fantastic !

that was so interesting, and beautifully told! Look forward to your video/comments on the amazing Kirsten Neuschafer!

So he went crazy.

Wow, fascinating! Thanks for the research that goes into these, they are great! 💚💛❤

Excellent material!

Excellent video! Fantastic story. I am impressed by the edit and production of this video. Great job, Derek!

Bar set high with Chris mcCandless. All the best. Looking forward to this.

Loic Lepage was an entrant in the 2018 Golden Globe race the 50th Anniversary edition :)

Emocionante ❤❤❤❤❤❤

It would've been nice to have heard more about his end of life

Hang on, just watched this and you said Moitessier was in the lead when in fact he wasn't, Knox-Johnson was! After the race, in a letter to Johnson Moitessier did say that he reckoned he would catch him and take the lead but, that was conjecture as he, as you rightly say, turned away.

There is no questioning Moitessier's prowess as a sailor, but, as a man, he was, IMO, a piece of shit. He abandoned his wife and 4 children so he could play on his sailboat. As a father, I find this unforgivable. He should have completed the race, donated the prize money if he was against the idea of it. Or maybe he could have used it to support his family. But no, he wanted to avoid his responsibilities and play on his boat. All the excuses in the world to try to build him into some sailing hero are BS.

Great video. One tiny thing: It's not proven that Crowhurst committed suicide.

Enjoyed this sea tale. What a man.

The cape of good horn eh?

Good on you mate choice well done my brother

I had not heard of Bernard, but had read the story about Crowhurst. I think his boat is in Little Cayman. I think you’re doing a great job on your documentaries, Derek.

Bravo for this well done podcast video, that reflects well on whom Moitessier was and inspired, as he changed so many people minds thanks to his legacy and books. Will the bunch of monkeys sail East one day?….

Another great video...really enjoyed that. Never heard that story before. No idea why a couple of people would downvote your video...must be bigger monkies than the rest of us : )

I just read Moitessier"s book and then stumbled on your video - well done. Will you make one on Crowhurst?

I never heard of this guy. Thanks for the sharing, 'Civilization ends at the waterline' Most interesting survival mad lad story would have to be 'The Barefoot bandit'. Have you heard of him?

Legend.

Wow, some people really are "Outdare."

Nicely told and put together… there is another story, same race, check out Donald Crowhurst… hats off to Ya 😊

Brilliant Derek... never heard of this story... Maybe Tom crean he had some adventures specially with Shackleton... Tom creans book unsung hero is one of the best books I've read. Have you read it ???

Great video again Derek. First time learning about it thanks. Already curios to know what you have up your sleeve for the next one ?

Stopped watching the instant you stated that Francis Chichester was the first person to sail single-handedly around the world ... pause ... via the clipper route. Any real sailor knows that the first person to sail single-handedly around the world was Joshua Slocum full stop. You could at least have had the courtesy to mention his truly historic feat.

Éric Tabarly also

I'm an idealist but still a monkey (not a "flying monkey") haha... Seems as there is an autobiography so will look that out. I'm prepared to be inspired! (here, there and ??). Look forward to more Mr. Derek. Take care everyone.

Montessier dreaded the prospect of returning to Europe after he had rounded cape horn. He scorned the money grubbing shallow existence of the West and feared he'd be corrupted by that system. He was a bird of the tropics, a spiritual man, someone who had managed to create for himself a state of perfection whilst at sea.

You left out the bit where he divorced his wife by slingshot …… he had no radio or engine either

Went through a phase of reading sailing disaster books you should read fastnet force 10 about the 1979 fastnet race. Photo of Hall Ferris still hunts me he looked like he was asleep in a wam chair as he as airlifted out of the water he died soon after.

Miotessier was not the first around the cape ( the rest behind) R Nox-Johnson was ahead

❤❤❤❤❤

I have always been intrigued by the juxtaposition of Moitessier and Crowhurst. One that ran the race and when he got close to reaching the finish line, found there was nothing there for him, so he kept going; not needing to cross the line to win the race. Crowhurst never accomplishing anything meaningful in his life, yearned for the fame and glory, yet knew his was a race that could only end in tragedy. His race was over from the beginning.