Adventures at the mercy of technology and people
The subject often comes up in our columns. Boaters and readers with a passion for boating are often looking for adventure. For themselves and through the stories of others. But what is adventure? We haven't finished asking ourselves that question.
Sailing around the world is obviously the ultimate adventure for a sailor. Doing it solo on a 32-meter Ultim makes the challenge even more incredible. And even with the assistance of a team, the sailor is still no match for the elements and Murphy's Law. Tom Laperche, whose "adventure" ends in Capetown but that doesn't mean we haven't had a great time.
Going back in time, the story of Philippe Monnet's round-the-world trip in reverse illustrates how the struggle against adversity is part of the sailor's myth, but also part of his daily life. Here, there's no question of stopping or giving up: malaria, fire, heating failure, hurricanes - nothing can stop Philippe Monnet's adventure.
Human discovery
But adventure isn't just for professional sailors. It can be just around the bend. Our yachtsman of the week crossed the Atlantic to find it. Up the Amazon, down the Orinoco on a 10-metre sailboat jean-François Diné sets the bar high for the Sunday boater, but takes him into the rapids alongside the Indians.
Whether in real life or by proxy, sailing is always an adventure.
