Embedded Files
Part 2, Episode 1, October 30th 2025
Ahoy!
The dream and the challenge of sailing across an ocean have finally been completed. The emotion of being back on solid ground after this journey and seeing family and friends again was immense!
On August 31st, we set sail on the yacht Scotland/Oban from Portsmouth Marina in the south of England, and arrived in Punta del Este, Uruguay, on October 12th. It was six intense weeks, sailing over 7 thousand nautical miles, crossing the Equator, and facing everything Mother Nature had to offer: from 43 knots (80 km/h) winds and torrential rain, to flat calms and scorching heat. And all of this was a competitive race! Our focus was on achieving maximum performance from the yacht, safely, 24 hours a day, to beat the nine other competing boats.
The crossing was split into two stages:
Race 1: From the UK to Spain, where we faced the most adverse weather conditions. We arrived first place!
Race 2: The longer leg, from Spain to Uruguay, where we finished in fifth place.
The physical and mental demands were extreme, exceeding my expectations, despite all the exhaustive preparation and training (four full weeks dedicated to formation).
In this first episode back, I want to discuss a leadership aspect that I consider critical throughout our journey aboard the yacht Scotland: Resilience!
Leadership in a Long-Haul Challenge
The Clipper Race is more than just a race; it's a project that takes months, sometimes years, of meticulous planning, training, and hard work. Before we even set off, everything needs to be ready – sails, gear, food, and supplies. In the middle of the ocean, there is no UberEats or Amazon delivery!
Once at sea, the routine is brutal. You are at the mercy of the conditions, but you must work incessantly to extract maximum speed while ensuring everyone's safety. Our routine involved:
Steering the yacht and analysing weather forecasts.
Trimming sails, performing manoeuvres, and repairing damage (to sails and equipment).
Essential chores like pumping bilges, cooking, and cleaning.
The team worked in a watch system: 6-hour shifts during the day and 4-hour shifts at night, resulting in highly fragmented sleep.
The Battle over Biscay
The weather conditions only amplify the difficulty. Living in a small environment, tilted at 25 degrees, with 19 other people, in cramped bunks and damp clothes, demands a lot. We spent hours under heavy rain or scorching sun, drenched by waves, reaching the point of exhaustion hauling massive lines (ropes) and sails.
Our first race, ironically named 'The Battle over Biscay', was the peak of the bad weather. I remember being at my limit, after days of seasickness (which rarely affects me), waiting my turn at the helm. I fell into a micro-sleep and vividly dreamt of someone offering me a hot coffee. I woke up with my arm outstretched, ready to take that dream coffee.
In the second race, we faced a different challenge: the long duration and the scorching heat and lack of wind near the Equator. The five weeks of this leg were a mental test of patience. I confess that, at many moments, I was counting the days until we saw land.
Amidst all these difficulties, the word that best sums up this adventure is Resilience.
I believe our team's resilience kept us focused on the purpose of performance and safety during the extremely tough conditions in the first race, resulting in a first-place finish.
Personally, resilience was what allowed me to focus on the moment, instead of wishing the weather would improve or the winds would ease – factors completely beyond my control. I channelled my energy into executing my tasks in the best way possible. Steering the yacht through the Bay of Biscay, amidst rain, strong winds, and waves, became, ironically, one of the most gratifying moments of the journey.
Resilience in Business
Looking at the business world, resilience is a critical term. Organisations fight to survive and thrive in a complex, volatile, and fast-paced environment. It is not just about "taking the pressure"; it is about embracing adversity as a modus operandi and constantly seeking solutions that translate into competitive advantages.
May this reflection inspire you in your own challenges, at sea or on solid ground. I conclude with a quote I often reflected upon during the crossing.
"You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength." — Marcus Aurelius
May fair winds be with you!
Breno
Share the Journey
If you enjoyed this, please share it with your network, follow me on social media, and consider supporting my fundraising campaign for UNICEF, a Clipper Race Partner.
Report abuse