In their final Sunday edition of 1999, the New York Times
listed champions in sports ranging from Archery to Skeleton. There
were only two listings for sailing. One noted the Netherlands victory
in the Admiral's Cup. The other noted Giovanni Soldini's winning
the 1998-99 Around Alone race.
In the course of the 27,000 mile single handed Around Alone
Soldini performed an at sea rescue of a fellow competitor and became
the first non-French Sailor to win Around Alone. Soldini's victory
was achieved in an overall time of 116 days 20 hours 7 minutes and
59 seconds a new race record.
Although this is a great achievement, Soldini will also be
remembered for his rescue of French sailor Isabelle Autissier.
February 16th Soldini rescued Autissier from her overturned PRB. The
climax of the rescue went as follows: He made two close passes yelling
to alert Isabelle. This did not do the job. On the 3rd pass, he threw
a hammer at the hull. Isabelle appeared and exited through the stern
escape hatch.
After this rescue Soldini said, "In any case, let me tell you
that I figure I've pretty much won this race, and anything else
ultimately isn't very important." Regardless he sailed onto win.
Upon reaching land in Uruguay Soldini summed up the rescue
"But I really think this kind of thing is pretty normal at sea... I
think anybody who is a sailor or a seaman would do something for
someone who [was in trouble] at 55S. I think anybody who was in my
position would go and do what I did. I don't feel like a hero. I just
did what I was supposed to do. The operation was successful, but it
was because we were very prepared."
Preparation seemed to always be a key to Soldini's success.
He sailed Fila for over a year before Around Alone. His was the only
Open 60 to make it without breakage.
Torresen Sailing Site visitors voted for Soldini in great
numbers. They recognized that he prepared for Around Alone, sailing
Fila fast and in sea worthy fashion, and acting heroically in tough
circumstances.
For those qualities we recognize him as the 1999 Torresen
Sailing Site Sailor of the Year.
A photo essay on 'Gio' is at the following location:
http://bsd.torresen.com/sailingnews.net/report/soldini_gallery.htm