Chapter 1 and 2 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 1—Full Sail

The author, Bernard Moitessier prepares to sail around the world on August 22nd, 1968. He is in the port of Plymouth, England and the weather is favorable to begin. The author, Bernard says goodbye to his wife, Francoise. The Sunday Times has organized a solo, non-stop boat race around the world with prizes. Other of the author's friends, Bill King, Loick and Fougeron are also planning to sail around the world from a port in the United Kingdom. Bernard accepts a water-proof camera from journalists, but refuses the offer of a heavy radio transmitter. Instead, Bernard plans to fire messages by slingshot to close passing ships. Another boat that is making the trip is Nigel Tetley's Victress, a three-hulled boat known as a trimaran. Bernard is sailing the yacht, Joshua, by himself and sails south towards...