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BOATING PEOPLE
ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2020
Q&A with 15-year-old Timothy Long who, last month, completed his challenge to became the youngest person to sail solo around Britain. What were the highs and lows of the journey?
Image: Marc Turner / EMCT
There were so many! The highs were seeing some spectacular scenery, and the wildlife I encountered along the way. I was frequently accompanied by pods of dolphins, not to mention the seals, puffins and other birds. That really lifts you when you are out there alone. In terms of sailing highs, those rare moments when the boat was going in the right direction at the right speed, with an incredible sunrise or sunset thrown in… it was just me and the boat and nothing else around. As for the lows, there was one particularly difficult sail from Troon to Stranraer. We set off with a forecast for a steady force 5, which quickly rose to a force 6 - 7. It was a big learning experience, to say the least. I was amazed how Alchemy handled the conditions so well.
Tell us about the boat you sailed, and do you have a dream boat? My boat for the Round Britain trip was Alchemy, a 28ft Hunter Impala, which I chose because of its combination of being good in all conditions and very seaworthy. I have many dream boats, depending on what I would be taking on… but needless to say, they would all require dream budgets too.
Why did you choose to support the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust?
Ellen MacArthur has always been a huge inspiration to me. I found out about her Cancer Trust charity from reading her books, and when I was 12 I asked if I could volunteer with them, but unfortunately I was too young.
So, when I set up my Round Britain 2020 project, EMCT was the obvious choice of charity to support. They do amazing work with young people of a similar age to me (8 - 24) to rebuild their confidence after cancer treatment, and the experience of being together on a boat can be a real turning point for people who have been through the worst of times.
Is there another challenge/race you would like to take on?
There are many. I would love to race across an ocean at some point, and eventually circumnavigate the globe.
So, you clearly love sailing. Are you planning to have a career in the marine world?
How old were you when you started sailing?
I started sailing at the age of nine. My first experience was in an Opi on a freezing lake in the middle of a thunderstorm. It did not put me off though!
Yes, I really want to pursue a career in racing.
Who are your boating inspirations?
There are so many… first and foremost Ellen MacArthur, of course. Then I would say the likes of Pete Goss, Ian Walker and Bernard Moitessier.
How did this challenge to become the youngest person to sail solo around Britain come about?
A couple of years ago I decided I wanted a challenge and adventure that would push me to find new limits, and that is how I decided to sail around Britain. It provides so many challenges, and I wanted to explore my own country. I did not realise I would be the youngest until I started researching it.
Timothy arriving in Largs during his attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around Britain. Image: Marc Turner / EMCT
What do you love about sailing?
For me, it is the huge sense of freedom. When you are out there on the sea, it is just you, the boat and the elements. You feel so alive… it is quite addictive! Timothy chose the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust as a charity to support during his expedition, following Dame Ellen MacArthur’s similar sailing journey when she was 18. Image: Marc Turner / EMCT
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Donation website:
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/roundbritain2020
