The Ocean Globe Race 2023/24 is a regatta that commemorates and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first Whitbread 1973 round the world sailing race, with full crew and stopovers. Sailing yachts of the same era as those that sailed 50 years ago are participating, following the same route, with the same spirit, and with similar equipment and technology.

Among the participants is the Spanish-flagged sailing yacht “White Shadow”, a Swan 57 model designed by Sparkman & Stephens, from 1978. The “White Shadow”, skippered by Jean-Christophe Petit, has a multinational crew of 12 people, combining veteran, experience and youth. On each leg, one of the crew members is relieved.

The first leg (LEG 1) started in Southampton (U.K.) on September 10, 2023 and after more than 7,000 miles the participants arrived in Cape Town (South Africa). Then, in the second leg (LEG 2), they crossed the Indian Ocean to Auckland (New Zealand).

Last February 21, after 39 days of uninterrupted sailing, they finished the third leg (LEG 3) when they arrived in Punta del Este (Uruguay), after crossing the Pacific Ocean and crossing the mythical Cape Horn. Currently, the “White Shadow” is sailing, once again in the Atlantic, in the middle of the fourth and last leg (LEG 4).

Jean-Christophe (JC) is a digital business entrepreneur who has lived on four continents over the past 30 years, including a year sailing with his wife and children. He is fluent in 4 languages, has crossed the Atlantic four times, regularly competes on the high seas and has sailed across the Mediterranean Sea to Lebanon in support of minorities. With a lot of drive, JC never gives up, always looking out for the safety and well-being of the team.

We thank Jean-Christophe, Captain of “White Shadow”, for sharing with our readers his experience of the first three legs of this epic round-the-world sailing adventure.

Interview with Jean-Cristophe Petit, Captain of “White Shadow”

What was your experience aboard “White Shadow” in the first three legs of the OGR 23/24 round-the-world race?

Phenomenal. It is an experience like few you can live in a lifetime!

Of course, it represents a lot of effort, both in terms of preparation, as well as isolation, disconnecting for months from family and friends, and sacrifices too… but the bonus is tremendous.

Maybe because the emotional and material price is very high!!!!

In stage 2 you crossed the Indian Ocean and crossed Cape Leewin. How was this experience?

We left with fear at the roaring 40s, and arrived friends of the screaming 50s.

The experience allows you to progress and learn.

What would you highlight about life on board during a long voyage on a sailboat? What is the daily routine like?

The little sufferings of everyday life block your global view.

By the way, someone ate your chocolate or didn’t clean the bathroom properly, but what does it matter, we are going around the world.

You must always keep your distance and remember the extraordinary moment you are living.

In this race you sail in a traditional way, what differences have you noticed compared to sailing a more modern boat?

Not having communication with land is special.

Particularly when you don’t receive weather reports.

It is a more reactive navigation, where you adapt to the conditions imposed by the sea.

Regarding sailing in the strong winds at high latitudes, was it hard? How did the boat behave?

The boat is a tank.

We have never been afraid of it.

And the wind, well, some people remember the record of 68 knots we had, but that lasts a couple of minutes. The hardest thing is 35+ knots for a week?

In Leg 3 you crossed the Pacific Ocean and crossed the mythical Cape Horn, what was this moment like, did you celebrate it?

Cape Horn is a myth for us sailors.

Since we have passed it by day, and that only happens once in a lifetime, we have forgotten the race for a couple of hours to approach the lighthouse and have photos taken from land by the lighthouse officer … are memories and emotions for a lifetime.

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Before arriving in Punta del Este you suffered a breakdown in the forestay, how did you manage to continue sailing?

Breaking a forestay can be serious, because the immediate consequence is the fall of the mast.

I organized the crew into several teams: some secured the mast with halyards, others picked up the headsail that can tear everything off, others secured the mainsail that was breaking apart, because after the breakdown you have to keep sailing. In parallel the 1st mate kept a safe course and I reported to shore what was happening.

Within 3 hours the ship was safe, sailing on course for the destination, and no one was hurt.

Finally, would you repeat this ocean sailing adventure?

Not now, but I always say this upon arrival.

I have already broken my word by doing 4 transatlantic and one round the world.

Sailing is a drug and I can never get away from the sea.

From “Navegantes Oceánicos (Bluewater Sailors)” we thank Jean-Christophe Petit, Captain of “White Shadow” for his support with this interview, and we wish him and all the crew, good winds, good sea and good luck in the fourth and last leg of the round the world sailing race.