Solo ocean racing is the ultimate test of human endurance, and Kiwi sailor Conrad Colman has shown yet again why he is a force to be reckoned with in the Vendée Globe Race. Known as the “Everest of the Seas,” the race demands mental and physical fortitude as skippers face the elements alone for months on end. Colman recently shared an anecdote about tackling adversity at its rawest—fixing a faulty desalinator while battling thirst, hunger, and fatigue.
“Early this morning, I saw that I was getting low on water, so I went to turn on the water maker. It just blew bubbles, which is a sign that it’s not set up properly,” Colman recounted. This setback was particularly demoralising, as it meant working through the night instead of resting. With no fresh water, Colman faced the dual challenge of dehydration and hunger, both of which sapped his energy just as the wind dropped and required a change in sail configuration.
“It took quite a lot of mental and emotional effort because you don’t want to be out here without fresh water,” he admitted. “I was getting thirsty, and because I didn’t have water, I wasn’t eating, so I was getting hungry.”
Despite these hardships, Colman’s determination shone through. After hours of troubleshooting, he successfully repaired the desalinator, describing the moment as “hallelujah, woohoo!” But the battle wasn’t over. Weakened from hunger and exhaustion, he needed to swap out the small gennaker for a larger one and shake out the main sail to capitalise on changing wind conditions.
Many have asked how he maintains motivation in the face of such relentless challenges. Colman’s answer is a mantra that resonates with the heart of solo sailing: progress, not perfection. “I did the manoeuvre really simply, not overcomplicating things. It took a little more time, but the big sail is up, we’re back to our target speed, and I can try to catch up,” he shared.
The Vendée Globe is more than a race.For Colman, it’s not just about finishing but overcoming the hurdles along the way with a mix of grit, ingenuity, and sheer willpower. Back in “100% mode,” he is now chasing down competitors and proving that even in the most challenging moments, resilience and resourcefulness are the ultimate tools for success.
Reference: Day 4 update from Conrad https://youtu.be/0pLALQBM09w?si=OhZLGipOc5nvsriW
