VOLVO OCEAN RACE LEGEND

VOLVO OCEAN RACE LEGEND RAMÓN CARLÍN

Tribute to Ramón Carlín, skipper of Sayula, winner of the first edition of the regatta in 1973/74

He was a Mexican businessman who won the first edition of the Volvo Ocean Race in the year 1974. His boat was a Swan of 65 feet in length. Carlín baptized the sailboat with the name of Sayula II, in honor to the town where his wife was born in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. During that edition of the regata died 3 sailors in the different oceans. The weather conditions were so adverse that even Sayula II was hit by a 12-meter wave causing the boat to overturn.

In the year 2011 Carlín met again in the city of Alicante, Spain (current departure point of the Volvo Ocean Race) with old colleagues of that edition that won, previously failed to maintain any contact with these sailors since that tragedy The victorious return to the world.

Today the return to the world is completely different to those times, the boats are faster, safer and more efficient. Safety and navigation equipment ensures greater safety and reliability for seafarers. The nautical garments are more resistant to cold and humidity, and lastly the food and hydration have to maintain better conservation than in the 70s. Therefore it is necessary to recognize the merit of crossing the globe at that time to these intrepid sailors and Above all precursors of this great sport of sail.