Undaunted after being forced out of the Golden Globe Race at Cape Town in November, Pat Lawless is going to try again to sail solo, non-stop around the world.
This time he will enter the Global Solo Challenge Race, with the difference that it allows modern technology aboard modern boats, of various sizes and handicaps from 32 ft. upwards, unlike the GGR which was for older boats without modern equipment.
Solo Sailor Pat Lawless is going to use Green Rebel for a new global challenge Photo: Kieran Ryan-Benson
He is going to use Green Rebel again for the Global Solo, his 36ft Saga which he renamed to his main GGR sponsor, the Green Rebel offshore development company of Cork. He told me that next week he will be going back to South Africa to sail the yacht home to Ireland and prepare it for the Global Challenge. It will begin from a Coruna in Spain, with a staggered start based on boat size from August 28.
Pat Lawless's 36ft Saga Green Rebel in third place in the Golden Globe Race passing Lanzarote, Photo: JJ/ GGR2022
It costs €7,500 just to enter and he estimates needing a budget of around €60,000 to prepare the boat and himself for several months at sea, circumnavigating east-about, rounding the three Great Capes - Africa's Cape of Good Hope, Australia's Cape Leeuwin and South America's Cape Horn and including traversing the Antarctic Region. He has begun discussions with potential sponsors, including those who backed him for the GGR.
“I’ve also looked for a bank loan. I’m hopeful for a good response. I’ve great support from my family and my wife, Rita. I have unfinished business, and I’m going to complete it. I’m determined to go again, and all my focus is on that.”
Pat Lawless is my Podcast guest this week.
Listen to the Podcast here.
