Joel Harkimo sailed alone across the Atlantic in the spring. In two years, the goal is to travel around the world.
The physical and mental challenges of sailing scare and at the same time fascinate Joel Harkimo. Atte Kajova
Joel Harkimo Sailing alone in 36 days alone across the Atlantic.
Now he remembers the physical and mental stresses of the trip.
– Yes, the worst thing is alone. Now I was 36 days, but in the future the time is many times, Harkimo says, referring to his future plans.
Harkimo plans to participate in Global Solo Challenge, which will begin in 2027.
In addition to loneliness, the 35-year-old sailor states that intermittent dreams were one of the most stressful factors in the early part of the year. He says he was practicing an 80 minute sleeping routine on the trip.
– I slept for 80 minutes, woke up, navigated and looked that the boat goes well and in the right direction.
– Sometimes I was able to continue dreaming, sometimes not.
With this boat, Joel Harkimo was supposed to sail around the world. Now the boat may change with the change in the competition plans. Henri Kärkkäinen
Physical condition deteriorated during the trip. Harkimo had about three meters of movement in the boat.
– The running fitness collapsed during the trip, but now I have come back to the taste of physics.
Continuous sleep deprivation and strain even caused scary symptoms.
– One time when the alarm clock was ringing, I thought I would see my brother Leon [Harkimo] beside me. We agreed that he would be on the deck and I will continue my dreams.
– I was so stuck that I thought he was in the boat. It was the strangest moment on the whole trip and for a moment the panic came.
Around the world
The crossing of the Atlantic was part of a large project, which was aimed at the Golden Globe Race sailing competition starting a year ago.
On Thursday, he told about the change in his plans: the trip has been postponed by a year and the new competition is called Global Solo Challenge. The journey remains the same, that is, around the world.
Harkimo says that future challenges will even cause fearful emotions. The world sailing is a year long.
– Yes, it’s a really long time to be alone. The mental side is the most excited.
– Of course, there can be a wave of up to 10-15 meters in the South Sea. I’ve never sailed there yet.