Where to Next?

W2N 'Where to Next?'
Rob 'Bee' Clark
Wed 10 Jun 2009 10:14

I know where I’m going next, I just don’t know when!

 

As you know, I try if I can to find someone local to throw the dice for the next destination. Being that I am now in Cape Town and about to embark on the next chapter of the voyage into the Indian Ocean, I thought I should make a special effort. My goodness, I even did some research!

 

No clues here…

 

 

 

This softly spoken, likeable chap is called Mark. I can tell you that he works for North Sails in Cape Town and that this photo was taken in his office but unless you really know your sailors, that won’t be any help to you.

 

Oh, okay, he’s Mark Sadler, skipper of the 32nd America’s Cup Challenge boat Shosholoza. Yes, skipper! I know, mad eh!

 

Team Oracle BMW and Alinghi have sadly robbed him of his esteemed position behind the carbon-fibre wheel but he will always be remembered as the skipper who, against the odds, sailed with an inexperienced crew to a creditable seventh against the world’s best sailors.

 

I was there in Valencia with my brother Tony in 2007. We watched as Shosholoza sailed back into the Challenger’s Village to the rousing sound of the song from which the boat takes her name. I had already conceived the idea of sailing around the world but didn’t think for a moment that Mark Sadler would, in a small way, be involved in my project. Mark is modest about his achievements though and seemed slightly embarrassed that I had chosen him as a local celebrity. He was fascinated by the ‘Where to next?’ project and helped to choose the six options for the dice.

 

They were…

 

  1. Simonstown
  2. Gordon’s Bay
  3. Mossel bay
  4. Knysna
  5. Richard’s Bay
  6. Reunion Island

 

He then threw the dice. A four – Knysna 312Nm

 

It’s not that far but it passes Cape Agulhas, South Africa’s southernmost point and a notoriously difficult stretch of coastline.

 

I’m just waiting for some mail to arrive at RCYC and then I can get going (weather permitting!)

 

In my research, I came across a chap called Anthony (Ant) Steward who was a committee member here at RCYC but has now moved away. He lives in Miami now but his story is unbelievable Please read this if you think that what I’m doing is brave… http://www.dixdesign.com/steward.htm. Actually, read it anyway – it’s brilliant!

 

Cheers for now,

 

Fair winds,

 

Bee

 

 

 

 

Rob Clark

W2N Global Ltd.

 

+44 (0)7967 661157

 

 

 

www.w2n.co.uk