Bernard Moitessier

Bernard Moitessier (1925 - 16 June 1994) was a reknowned French yachtsman and author of books about his voyages and sailing.

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16 June - 1994

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In 1968, Moitessier participated in the Sunday Times Time Golden Globe Race, a race to become the first sailor to circumnavigate the earth alone and non-stop. Although Moitessier stood a very good chance of winning, he abandonned his effort seven months into the race, and continued on to Polynesia rather than returning to England. The decision to abandon while in the lead is instructive of Moitessier's character--although driven and competitive, he passed up a chance at instant fame and a record, and sailed on for three more months. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston went on to both won the race and became the first man to circumnavigate the globe alone without stopping. After his 37,000-mile (60,000 kilometre) voyage, Moitessier wrote The Long Route, a classic sailing narrative.

Related Topics:
Sunday Times Time Golden Globe Race - Robin Knox-Johnston

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For the 1968 race, Moitessier sailed a 12 metre steel-hulled ketch, the Joshua. He had her built in 1961, and named her after Joshua Slocum the first sailor to circumnavigate the globe alone (over a three year period with numerous stops). Joshua was lost in a cyclone in 1982.

Related Topics:
Ketch - Joshua Slocum

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Moitessier was the author of numerous books about his voyages and the sea, and was an environmental activist against nuclear weapons in the South Pacific. He passed away of cancer in 1994.

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