Some of you may be familiar with Skip Allan. He's an offshore sailboat racer with a penchant for winning the Singlehanded Transpac race as well as many other singlehanded and crewed races. He's a consummate seaman who's been sailing for over five decades. For over 30 years he's sailed his 27' Wylie Hawkfarm Wildflower (more accurately, it was the prototype of the Hawkfarm and Skip built it himself). Unfortunately, while returning from Hawaii, having completed this year's Singlehanded Transpac, he found himself in dangerous seas. For 3 days he and Wildflower endured brutal conditions appx. halfway betwixt CA and HI. He eventually made the difficult decision to transfer to a cargo ship and scuttle Wildflower. Read the full account here:
http://www.sfbaysss.net/showpost.php?p=1357&postcount=17
and continued here:
http://www.sfbaysss.net/showpost.php?p=1358&postcount=18
Skip has been an inspiration to me and many others who dream of ocean voyages. His extensive ocean sailing record should suffice to squash any armchair sailors who second guess his decision making. Of particular note is his awareness of his family obligations. A poster on another forum reminds us of a pertinent quotation from a prominent high altitude mountaineer, Ed Viesturs: "Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory."
Best of luck to Skip. Full respect.
http://www.sfbaysss.net/showpost.php?p=1357&postcount=17
and continued here:
http://www.sfbaysss.net/showpost.php?p=1358&postcount=18
Skip has been an inspiration to me and many others who dream of ocean voyages. His extensive ocean sailing record should suffice to squash any armchair sailors who second guess his decision making. Of particular note is his awareness of his family obligations. A poster on another forum reminds us of a pertinent quotation from a prominent high altitude mountaineer, Ed Viesturs: "Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory."
Best of luck to Skip. Full respect.
