Umdloti yachtsman takes on brutal solo transatlantic race

Umdloti resident Donald Alexander is currently alone on a sailboat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, racing the historic Route du Rhum.

The Route du Rhum is one of the most prestigious yacht races in the world and sees hundreds of seasoned skippers race from Saint Malo in northern France to the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean.

When it is held every four years, it is the second largest spectator event in France, second only to the annual Tour de France cycle race.

The competitors in six wind-powered boat classes took off in a staggered start last week, with most of Alexander’s Class 40 category just rounding the Azores islands at time of print.

Alexander (64) is the only South African to have completed the gruelling event, which he did in 2018 – and he is the oldest skipper in his category this year.

He finished 23rd in a difficult race in 2018 in a time of 26 days and one hour, and assumed he would never enter again.

But the availability of a competitive boat, coupled with an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the flood damage in his hometown of Umdloti, motivated him to take on the brutal challenge again.

Alexander is racing for Save Soil, a movement from the Conscious Planet organisation that attempts to combat worldwide soil degradation.

Whether as a result of monocrop farming, clearing of natural bush or for development, soil degradation can cause major environmental damage, and in Umdloti’s case, infrastructure damage.

“I am unsponsored and merely supporting the Conscious Planet cause which is driven by the Isha Foundation and an amazing individual, Sadghuru. The cause has drawn a great level of attention and I have been invited to talk to an audience at COP27 from the yacht in the Atlantic, supporting Save Soil, on November 16,” said Alexander.

As for the race so far, it has not been totally seamless, with Alexander forced to take a four-hour penalty as a result of a false start.

This meant he was unable to move, losing major time on the field around him, although by his own admission, just finishing without stopping is the aim of this year’s race.

In 2018, he was forced to make a pit-stop in La Coruna to make crucial navigation equipment repairs.

He has also been struggling with seasickness amid rough tides and weather, while having to make ongoing repairs to the boat which is a common issue on a race this challenging.

“The past few days have been eventful and today another boat capsized, so if Donald stays afloat, all is well. Donald’s parting words on the call were, ‘this trip is a little short on fun’. He said the same thing at this stage on the last RdR and when he hits the trade winds and the sunshine, his spirits will soar! Stay tuned,” wrote his wife Debra in a daily update after day 5 on Monday.

At time of print, Alexander was placed 29th out of the 46 boats remaining in his class.

He is likely to be racing for the next two weeks at least and would certainly appreciate any message of support and donations in that time.

Being isolated for three weeks and beyond is difficult enough, imagine doing it with a lack of sleep and the need for constant focus just to keep going.

To track his race live, visit routedurhum.com/en or to read entertaining and informative daily updates from Debra, visit sailingforsoil.com.

If you would like to donate, visit remember-umdloti.org.

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