 Photo Courtesy
of www.no-barriers.com
Torresen Sailing Site: What changes have been
made to No Barriers(pictured above) for this race ?
 I have done a complete overhaul to the boat. Put in an
engine which I never had, new rudder bearings, strengthened the mast base, sand blasted
the deck and re-glassed it thanks to my sponsor, Phillips Industrial Services. I have put
about six months work into the boat on the hard at the SC State Ports Authority's
Columbus Street Terminal. She is like a new boat again.
Torresen Sailing Site: Taking 3rd in the '96
Transatlantic race after colliding with the freighter, is that you greatest achievement ?
On the water, yes. But in my life, no. Working with
children and using my sailing to show them how each subject is applied and that my life
depends on it is part of my contribution. Seeing them grasp what I am sharing and
applying it to their own dreams is my greatest achievement.
Torresen Sailing Site: Considering all the
problems (collision, dismasting) you have had do you feel there is some sort of 'hex' on
you ?
I designed and built my boat with no sponsorship and a
very limited budget. I have sailed my boat over 60,000 miles in eight years. I have spent
collectively 250 days plus at sea alone in this boat. When all this is put into context, I
have done well. These are the flat tires any motorist will get in the course of a long
time driving. I have had my share of incidences, but I too have had my share of
success. Not everyone remembers the mundane quiet days, but all to often, only the drama
days. The laws of probabilities states that he or she who is at sea the longest will take
the most punishment.
Torrresen Sailing Site: Taking all of your
experience into consideration: Comment on this description of the Around Alone
course: While Legs 1 & 4 are important they are essentially a delivery voyage to
and from the site of the real racing, the Southern Ocean ?
All the sailing is important to me. The Atlantic legs are
about tactics and positioning - a true challenge. The smaller boat suffer more. The
doldrums
are frustrating. The Southern ocean legs are fast, and violent, but exhilarating. All
these things make this truly a demanding race. This is a human drama, and change is a big
part. I am racing against myself and the clock, using the elements and living with what is
thrown at me. Its a part of a life I have chosen, but its not for everyone.
Torresen Sailing Site: What is the sleep and/or
watch system you use when sailing No Barriers
solo ?
I normally sleep about 20-30 minutes at a time in ideal
conditions. In very
rough conditions where I am reefed in heavily and the boat is lively and bouncing, I get
about 30-45 min snoozes. In the light airs, I am too frustrated to sleep much knowing I am
missing a wind puff. Each sleep pattern is interrupted by popping up on deck for a minute
or less, peering at the radar screen and instruments, then back to sleep. I might put a
session of 6 snoozes in, then, be up for a while. One cannot stockpile sleep. This slowly
catches up with me, and after a few days of this, I might ignore one
alarm and stay sacked till the repeat cycle, getting then an hour. Collectively in a 24
hour period, I will get between 4 to 6 hours sleep
Torresen Sailing Site: What kinds of food do you
rely on for nutrition, freeze dried,
pressure cooker etc. ?
With the College of Charleston and Harry Mitchell's
daughter in law we have written a computer program to monitor my diet. I need 2,500
calories per day to maintain my weight on the Atlantic legs, and 3,000 calories per day
for the Southern Ocean. My staples will be rice and pasta, but their will be freeze dried
food. Watch my website after July for a list of my diet. |