Pat’s on a mission
Irish sailor Pat Lawless has set sail on the international seas this week.
Pat departed from Crosshaven on his mission to become the 1st Irish person to sail around the world non-stop as part of the Golden Globe Race.
Cork-based company Green Rebel is the main sponsor for Pat Lawless’ entry to the race and representatives from the company joined Pat in Crosshaven on Tuesday to wish him well.
Over the past few weeks Pat has been inviting supporters to sign his sail before he sets off. The race is expected to last around 9 months.
The Golden Globe Race 2022 will begin on 4 September when 18 sailors depart Les Sables-d’Olonne and aim to sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes. Pat has named his boat 'Green Rebel'.
Pat said: “I cannot wait to get started and I am really looking forward to the race and making Ireland proud. Thank you to all my sponsors and to Green Rebel for their support. Myself and my boat, called 'Green Rebel', will be at the start line flying the flag for Ireland.”
CEO of Green Rebel, Kieran Ivers said: “We are so delighted to be supporting Pat as he sets out to make Irish history. Pat is brave and determined and we are all so proud of him at Green Rebel. “We want to wish him the very best in the Golden Globe Race and he knows all of Ireland will be cheering him on as he takes on the challenge on Green Rebel.”
Over the course of the Golden Globe Race sailors will circumnavigate 30,000 nautical miles across some of the most dangerous seas in the world.
The competitors will not be permitted to use modern technology and can only use items that were available in 1968. Pat will navigate by the position of the sun using only a sextant and paper charts.
Pat is 66 years of age and has been sailing all his life. External communication with family friends or support groups will not be allowed for the duration of the race. This is the 3rd time the Golden Globe Race has taken place and in previous years many competitors failed to complete the race.
Around 6,000 people have climbed Everest while 556 people have been to space, but only 100 people have ever sailed solo nonstop around the world via the 5 great capes.