The Skipper

Retired: January 19 2023 – rig failure
Elliott Smith landed in Fremantle on 19 January after 5000 miles under jury rig. He had broken his bowsprit off the South African coast and lost his spare forestay overboard after trying to repair at sea. He continued under staysail and double-reefed main, with the rig supported by the inner forestay and backstay, but did not have time to repair and get through the Hobart gate closing before 31st January.

From Jacksonville Beach, Florida, USA

It seems that the universe has put it in my path to circumnavigate and I have become increasingly aware I must do it solo. My whole life I have read and listened to countless inspiring stories of beauty, adventure, sorrow, and hardships.

Often, I have found myself privileged enough with the opportunities to have my own epic stories and tales. I am grateful for this. I feel that this race will push me to great extremes of the human spirit, which I hope will help me give back to my inspirations, and even continue the wonderful stories of adventure and seeking truth in oneself.

The ocean has brought me so many wonderful truths and I feel the style and ruggedness of the race will help me cut away the millions of distractions that the world now throws in our face. I am looking forward to ‘un-connecting’ and connecting to the real world without screens and GPS and the hard lessons of solo ocean experience.

Two years of sailing as a first mate in the chartering company San Francisco Sailing Co (6 days a week 2017-2019). Sailing my own boat Nortena (1963 Pearson Triton) around the East Coast of the USA and island hopping in the Bahamas in winters of 2018-2020.

The Boat

Technical Boat Photos

Elliott’s Website: https://www.elliottskipper.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElliottSkipperSmith/