#361. Captain Bill Pinkney returns to the podcast to chat with Emma about his life, career, and new book. In 1992, Bill became the first black man to circumnavigate solo, sailing via the five Great Capes. He made the 2 year voyage around the world on his Valiant 47 COMMITMENT. In addition to it being a remarkable sailing trip, Bill's circumnavigation was an educational opportunity for thousands of school kids who followed his journey. Pinkney also oversaw the building and subsequently captained the replica schooner AMISTAD, and spent years as a board member with Mystic Seaport maritime museum.

Born in Chicago’s Bronzeville community, Pinkney is a US Navy veteran with eight years service as a Hospital Corpsman. He spoke with Emma for On the Wind from his home in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

In just over three months, a yacht race like no other will start from Les Sables d’Olonne, France – the Golden Globe Race 2022. On the start line, we’ll find Ian Herbert-Jones and his beloved boat Puffin, ready to sail & race solo around the world with no modern equipment or outside assistance. The concept of the 30,000 mile non-stop, solo circumnavigation is to sail in the spirit of the original GGR held in 1968/69 in which Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first and only entrant to cross the finish line and complete this feat in 312 days. Modern-day entrants are limited to only use equipment that was available during the time of the original race.

In this episode, August interviews Ian as he prepares for this fantastic endeavor upon his Tradewind 35 cutter. You can check out more about Ian’s race preparations at his website (https://www.hjsailing.com/) and you can support his campaign through GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hj-sailing-golden-globe-race.

#358. Captain Liz Clark has sailed over 20,000 miles on her sailboat, Swell. She grew up sailing in San Diego, and cruised the coast of Mexico with her family at age 9. She became an avid and competitive surfer as a teenager, which took her traveling around the world. After finishing her degree in Environmental Science in Santa Barbara, Liz acquired Swell, her Cal 40. She undertook an extensive refit of the boat, then pushed off into the Pacific on a voyage of self-discovery.

Liz's book Swell: A Sailing Surfer's Voyage of Awakening is an inspiring and beautifully illustrated memoir about her voyage. After cruising and surfing through the Pacific, Liz landed in Tahiti where she wrote her book and still lives with her partner. Swell sits on a mooring in view from her porch, ready for the next adventure. In the meantime, Liz is busy on the island, protecting the animals, lands, and ocean waters of Tahiti.

#356: Paul Heiney is a well-known writer and broadcaster, as well as a seasoned ocean sailor. His voyages include a singlehanded race across the Atlantic, a long passage from England to Cape Horn and back, and a cruise around Iceland. His work is published regularly in sailing magazines and he has written several books, some about his sailing trips. Paul is also the commodore of the Royal Cruising Club.

Paul has also been an organic farmer and keeper of working farm horses. He is married to columnist and broadcaster, Libby Purves. They have a late son, Nicholas, and a daughter Rose. Paul and Libby live beside the seaside on the Suffolk coast with their dog.

You can find his latest book, Farewell Mr Puffin (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/farewell-mr-puffin-9781472990976/), wherever books are sold. See more about Paul's life and work at https://www.paulheiney.com/.

#355. Andy hosts a sit-down session at August's cabin in Bergen where a bunch of salty sea captains talk sailing. Honestly, we can't even tell you what this episode is about, as it's a rambling hour of shootin' the shit. But it's entertaining, we promise. Grab a coffee or a whisky and join us!

#353: Tapio Lehtinen is a legendary Finnish sailor who is preparing to race the Golden Globe Race this year, and the Ocean Globe Race in 2023. Tapio sailed the Whitbread Round the World Race as watch captain in 1980-81. He also completed an arduous Golden Globe Race in 2018, which made Tapio the first Finn to have raced single-handed nonstop around the world. In this episode, Andy and Tapio talk about the devastating war in Ukraine, raising children and losing loved ones, and, of course, offshore sailing. Follow Tapio's sailing programs at https://www.tapiolehtinensailing.fi/