Rounding Cape Horn

Neal Petersen encounted a major storm on his approaches to Cape Horn while racing solo around the world.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Neal
• Petersen
• yachting
• yacht
• sailing
• adventure
• inspiration
• keynote
• speaker
• South
• Africa
• Cape
• Horn
• solo
• singlehanded
• BOC

[e1p12007]

Neal:

I recall being thrilled by your story in the PBS video of Around Alone. That some vid also made me a fan of Harry Mitchell.

As a sailor/cruiser who someday hopes to make my own Horn passage, thanks for posting this...and bless your fine heart for remembering Harry on your triumphant day, That brought tears to my salty eyes.

SKOAL! Someday, hopefully, I'll toast you both also.

[nealpetersen]

I do hope you get to personally experience the Horn. There is nothing like it, & frankly, life has not been the same since sailing around looking north. At least every few days I get to share the experience with my audiences and Harry lives as long as I am on the platform. He is in every keynote. We must never forget those who went before us, inspiring us, showing the way, sacrificing. Harry was a true hero. I look forward to hearing that you had a toast. BTW, I put up a new video. Please rate.

[yancswallow]

Great video!

I had the "pleasure" of sailing around Cape Horn last November, after encountering some rough weather about 500nm west. What a relief to spot the cliffs of the Horn after so many weeks at sea! Definitely one of the best moments of my 23 years.

It's amazing that you're doing all this alone - certainly a great achievement. I'm thankful for the three great guys I had with me. Cheers and fair winds!

[nealpetersen]

Very few people can appreciate the emotions of seeing that rock. It is something that we cannot full convey in video or books. It must be dreamed of, worked hard for, and then seen to be appreciated. So few have had the courage. Well done to yourself. It does not matter if we are solo or with a crew. Just having the will to be there, and achieving it is a feat in itself.

[sunspot19]

What an accomplishment! Well done and good sailing!

[nealpetersen]

Thank you. It was one of the best moments of my life. Now each time I give a keynote (doing currently almost 100 a year), I get to show this piece of video and get to relive the excitement.

[JamesVibe]

Well said indeed!

[divisioneight]

A number of reasons - firstly the regions in the lower latitudes where the wind has no land to slow it's west to easterly run. Secondly, the Cape is a narrow place where two of the world's largest oceans flow through. Waves that travel thousands of miles across the Pacific can stack up as the seafloor rises at the Horn to immense size. It's no place for the feint of heart. Imagine going east to west against that wind and oncoming seas.

[ShorelinePearson]

Great video! You're amazing Neal!

[karadan100]

The shape of the land and the fact that two oceanic currents meet at that point crates some of the largest pyrimidal waves in the world. Coupled with icebergs and strong winds makes sailing it very dangerous. The amount of trade ships which sunk here is the reason the Panama canal was built. Before the canal, it was the only route from the western Americas to Europe.

[argonne5]

How did Cape Horn get to be such a dangerous place?

What about that area makes it so dangerous? I know bad waves and storms, but why?

[spitgalore]

Thanks Randy, for reminding me to watch this wonderful video. What he went through scary. What he accomplished was monumental. I'm glad he made it.

[rebelstang]

SemperPeratus! Good Job!

Definatly, Glad You Made It!

[rebelyellshooter]

Just found this vid, A old friend from Cooper river marina. Randy. Good to see ya, way to go.