With one year to go to Globe40, we bring you weekly reports on the preparations for Globe40. Today Lisa Berger talks about her preparations for Globe40…
You’ve bought Class40 n°93 for the Globe40, an Akilaria RC2 from 2010, can you tell us why you chose this boat?
In the beginning, I was more looking at 3rd generation boats but soon realised that with the little time left before the start I simply won’t be able to afford such a Class 40. I had looked at 93 aka Wilson many many times by then and am super happy now that I chose her in the end. She is a very solid boat and that was the main decision maker. Since I also want to race solo and nonstop around the world with her later, it was important for me to have a solid boat with a pointy bow rather than a scow bow. Of course also it was a budget decision. I bought her for a good price knowing that we will have to do a huge refit. Which I am very glad about, because like this we will know her inside out!
You recently sailed the boat from Spain to Wales, your base camp. What are your first impressions of sailing your new boat?
Basically, she feels like a Mini! But much more comfort. I love it!! And it’s so simple and big big fun! I am truly in love with her and can’t wait to start sailing her properly after the refit! Compared to my Maxi 6.50, which is the driest boat in the world, she is a very wet boat though. Haha
The last few weeks have seen the start of a complete refit of the boat. What does the work actually involve? What modifications and adaptations would you like to make to your boat in preparation for Globe40?
It basically involves everything.. 😉 We took everything out of the boat, all the electrics and electronics, running rigging, standing rigging and and and. We also took off keel, mast, rudders and bowsprit so we can check everything.
At the moment we are building the additional watertight bulkheads and doors. Also, we are starting to put additional unsinkability foam on Wilson, so that we are up to Class 40 rules. Which is quite some work since it has to be fiberglassed in etc. But we love doing this all by ourselves, it’s many first times for me, super interesting. And I am lucky and very glad my partner and Co-Skipper Jade knows how to do all these works and if not we have people around who know and help us.
We’ll also do all the electronics new and rewire everything properly. I already had some good lessons about Murphy’s Law in my Mini 6.50 campaign, so I prefer to do everything properly now and try to reduce problems and stress later at sea as far as it is possible J
Do you already have an idea of your crew for this round the world race?
Yes, my partner and most favorite Co-Skipper Jade Edwards-Leaney and I will do the full race together.
The start of the 2nd edition of the round the world race is fast approaching. What is your race programme for 2025 before the big start?
I am absolutely not sure if we’ll make it to some races before the big start. We hope to be back in the water in February or March so that we are able to test everything what we built and replaced. So maybe we will to that on a sail to the Acores and back. Then we’ll try to do some smaller races for sure, especially here around Great Britain, whatever will be possible timewise and whatever the budget allows. But to be honest, at the moment it is all about the refit, getting her ready and finding sponsors!
In a year’s time, you’ll be at sea on the first major leg to La Réunion. What’s your state of mind before this big challenge?
We can’t wait! Wilson might be far from ready but Jade and I are so so ready. It will be such a big reward to sail the Globe 40. It will already be such a big step and reward to make it to the start line of the race! I am doing the race virtually at the moment on Virtual Regatta and it’s super nice actually. To see what lies ahead, especially since those legs will be tricky ones with difficult weather systems and it will be all about strategy. There are some good lessons to be learnt for sure!