Kirstin Neuschäfer saved Tapio Lehtinen in November. Now the sailor returned to Finland.
It was November when Kirsten Neuschäfer saved Finland Tapio Lehtinen from the Indian Ocean.
On Wednesday, the two met for the first time after the adrenaline-filled rescue operation. Neuschäfer arrived in Helsinki to christen the boat with which Lehtinen’s team will go to the Ocean Globe Race.
– It’s incredible to see Tapio again. The last time we saw it was in the Indian Ocean, so this is fantastic,” Neuschäfer said.
The South African sailor knocked a bottle of sparkling wine against the side of the ship bearing the Galiana WithSecure name and spoke to the audience in Finnish at the event.
– It is a great honor to be here. I wish you luck and a safe journey, said the sailor in clear Finnish.
Kirsten Neuschäfer was happy to return to Finland. Anni Saarela
Neuschäfer lived in Finland 18 years ago. The sailor spent two years in Pohjola, so he had time to remember the language.
In true Finnish style, Neuschäfer said understatedly that he doesn’t remember very much Finnish. Nevertheless, the answers and words were found like on the pharmacy shelf.
– It’s great to return to Finland after an 18-year break. When I lived here, I never thought that I would be away for this long or that I would return on this occasion. I’m really glad I got here. I have been received wonderfully.
Neuschäfer won the Golden Globe Race in April. She is the first woman to win a circumnavigation of the world.
The prestigious Cruising Club of America awarded Neuschäfer the Rod Stephens Seamanship Trophy for saving Lehtinen, which is awarded annually for saving one or more people at sea.
Lehtinen was in contact with his savior during the race.
– Tapio called on a satellite phone a couple of weeks after returning to Finland. It was the first time we spoke after the rescue. He told me that Finland is cheering me on in the competition. Because of my connection to Finland, it made me very happy.
Seven months
Neuschäfer gave Lehtinen a “lucky kick”. Anni Saarela
Lehtinen and his team’s journey in the Ocean Globe Race starts from Southampton, England on September 10.
From there, Galiana sails via Cape Town and Auckland towards Cape Horn, Chile. The finish looms in mid-April 2024.
Neuschäfer acts as the boat’s godfather.
– We couldn’t get a better sponsor for our team and our boat, Lehtinen praised.
In the Ocean Globe Race, you sail around the world on classic sailboats without computers, satellite navigation, GPS or other modern technology.
According to Lehtinen, the 55-foot Galiana is the most old-fashioned of the boats in the competition.
– In my opinion, it is the most classic and the most beautiful. Our boat may be the slowest, but we’ll see how the handicap rule affects the results.
Alive
Lehtinen trusts the safety of his new boat. Anni Saarela
Lehtinen believes that Galiana is the safest boat in the race. He does not hesitate to go to sea after the accident in November.
– Our boat is the safest. On the other hand, no guarantees in the world are certain. I got to experience it in the Indian Ocean. I was absolutely sure that Asteria is the safest of the competition. However, everything went well. We are alive here.
Lehtinen’s team is ready. However, Neuschäfer was asked if he would be ready to jump in as a sailor if one of the members couldn’t go sailing.
– That would be cool!
Another Finnish team on board the Spirit of Helsinki is also taking part in the competition.
THE FACTS
Tapio Lehtinen, 65, team:
– Second skipper Ville Norra, 51
– Team manager Pia Grönblom, 50
– Kaisla Jacoby, 20
– Viivi Moisio, 20
– Mauri de Meulder, 26
– Anton Eklund, 25
– Alexander von Flittner, 27
– Elia Koski, 27
– Juho Sattanen, 28
– Lassi Liimatainen, 29
– Mikko Hongell, 33