02/03/2022
Here at The Ocean Race, we know that the ocean is not a dividing area but a common ground for all of us. Over nearly 50-years of our race history, we have seen teams and sailors from all corners of the world compete in an environment where your competitor becomes your friend, and a fierce rival can be a saviour.
Back in 1993-94 British sailor Conrad Humphreys, at the fresh age of 20, joined a Ukrainian entry in what was then known as the Whitbread Round the World Race – Team Odessa. This Ukrainian team followed on from a first ever campaign from the USSR – Fazisi – in the 1989-90 race. In fact the Ukrainian skipper on Odessa, Anatoly Verba, was a watch captain on Fazisi. Both efforts represented a world that was opening up and coming together and would have been unthinkable just a few short years prior.
Sadly, today we are seeing the unthinkable happening again but in the opposite direction. A few days ago, in view of current events, Conrad posted the text below on his page, and he’s given us permission to share it here. It’s a timely reminder of our common humanity, and hints at a hopeful story of what can be achieved together.
You can read more about Conrad and his Whitbread experience at his website - https://conradhumphreys.com/journey-to-date/
"Just reading the latest updates on Ukraine. I can’t quite believe this has escalated to this point. 30 years ago Ukraine became an independent nation from the former USSR. Two independent Ukrainian teams had mounted campaigns for Whitbread Round the World Race, one of which, a Whitbread 60, Odessa 200, I would join along with Northern Ireland sailor Corin Mackenzie.
"It was difficult time, Ukraine's economy had collapsed and inflation was rampant. Their half-finished boat lay abandoned in a shipyard in Odessa. And yet, the Skipper, Anatoly Verba was determined to start the race, despite the fact that they had run out of money.
"The boat was placed on a cargo ship to the US and the crew continued to build the boat whilst on route to Florida. There they spent eight months completing the boat, whilst living in a container. Eventually, they sailed across the Atlantic to Ocean Village, arriving just days before the start with only three sails and no safety equipment. Understandably, the race officials would not let them start the race.
"A week later, the Moscow Times stepped in and sponsored them with about $40,000 dollars, enough to purchase some sails and the safety equipment. The team started the race a week behind the rest of the fleet....
"I had bought a one-way ticket to the first stop in Uruguay to join them, and it was the start of my baptism into ocean racing. Despite countless hardships, broken gear, fights and more, we eventually crossed the finish line in Southampton having raced around the world.
"It’s an incredible story, which one day I'll try to describe.
"To my Ukrainian friends, Sergei, Kip, Anatoly and the one Russian onboard, Igor, stay safe, keep believing and I hope you will prevail."
Conrad Humphreys. Whitbread 1993-94, Odessa 200
