Simon and Steve bring the boat back in

Steve is now safely back home and the first thing he would like to do is wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Oh and by the way he is now officially the 9th best sailor in the world.  More of that in a bit, but first, Christmas in March?

If you remember Steve’s words from blog 14, “I have to say Christmas day was thoroughly miserable, so much so I nearly wasn't going to mention it. I am on the opposite side of the world to my family who I really missed.” Well on Sunday 22nd March, Steve and his family finally sat down and enjoyed a somewhat belated Christmas day together. And yes there were hats, crackers and presents, plus a starring role for that mischievous little wooden Christmas tree that travelled around the world with Steve. If you recall, it shared many an adventure with Steve, including what many say will go down in the annals of yacht racing history – the ‘Boxing day broken boom incident’. (See blog 14).

No more Heroes anymore? – You bet there are..

A co-Sponsor to bluQube for Steve’s Vendee event was Toe in the Water a charity that aims to inspire service men and women who have sustained often traumatic injuries, including the loss of limbs, to move beyond their disability and to become re-inspired by life. The charity believes that competitive sailing is a physically and mentally challenging sport and therefore provides a unique opportunity for injured men and women to sail and race on equal terms with their able-bodied contemporaries.

Well, on-board for the return from the Vendee to Gosport there were two heroes sailing the ‘battle’ weary ‘open 60’ home. Steve of course we all know about, but with him was Chris Herbert, a truly remarkable young soldier who had to endure not one, but two major injuries in the service of his country. First he was shot in the ankle in Iraq and then lost a leg in Afghanistan. According to Steve, Chris was completely undeterred by these physical constraints and crewed the boat as competently as any other ‘newbie’ crew member he has sailed with. Chris really enjoyed the experience and is now inspired to take up sailing as a new challenge.

Steve’s place in yachting’s elite confirmed by IMOCA ranking

As we alluded to as the start of the blog, Steve’s performances in both the Vendee Globe and in the Artemis Transat races have raised his status a massive 20 places to 9th in the IMOCA World Championship rankings. The result is established at the end of each sailing year, and is based on the number of points won during that year, as well as the points won in the previous year. There is currently no prize-money involved, however the rankings are the most prestigious in Ocean racing and are carefully monitored by both yacht racings fans and importantly for Steve, sponsors.

Steve comments on his new status, “Of course I am delighted to be considered one of the top ten solo sailors in the world, however the word solo is a bit of a misnomer. I could not have achieved what I have this year without the support of the many people behind me. First and foremost of which is my wife and family who have supported me through some really tough times and all my sponsors including bluQube and Toe in the Water, without whom I would not have been able to reach the start line.”

bluQube’s Simon Kearsley is also delighted with the credibility and excitement of being associated with a world class sailor, “The Steve White sponsorship has paid great dividends commercially over the last few years, however there is an extra buzz that you just cannot get from a trade show or any other type of marketing investment when the principal on the project you have been involved with achieves world-wide recognition. On behalf of all of us at bluQube I would like to offer Steve our congratulations and we are proud to have played a small part in his success.”

So what’s next?

Now the celebrations of Christmas and the IMOCA rating are over, Steve is now back in his home town of Dorchester making plans and raising funds for his next major campaign the ‘Velux Five Oceans’; another solo circum-navigation of the globe that starts in October 2010. But first he has a boat to fix; Steve reckons it will cost about £3,000 just to make good the temporary repairs carried out during the race and get the yacht properly seaworthy again, and another £200,000 to make it race ready. So if any of you out there has a screwdriver, or preferably a large cheque book, give Steve a call.