Community Chat

[Oznell]

What a cool adventurer!   At 83, Japanese yachtsman Kenichi Horie is the first at his age to cross the Pacific, from San Francisco to Japan.

He was alone out there for over 2 months.  Not me, not ever, not at any age, ha.  But I love his spirit.

He had good prep for this.  In 1962, he became the first person in the world to voyage alone nonstop across the Pacific, but reversed the journey-- he went from Japan, to San Francisco.

This time he battled a big storm at one point, and stiff tides.  He wisely brought a store of medicines with him from San Fran, but used only eye drops and and band-aids during the trip. "I'm still in the middle of my youth",  he declared.

USA Today reports that he also said  "I burned all my body and soul" on the trip, but also said "I want to be a challenger as long as I live".   Tired but gracious, he thanked a waiting crowd and accepted roses.

What a guy!

   

[Sooner]

Delusional.  

[Oznell]

Oh, I don't think so at all, @Sooner .   Although I could always be wrong, I took the "middle of youth" comment to be a little bit of facetious hyperbole.    

A little colorful bravado, under the circumstances-- amusing, and entirely acceptable in my view.   He knows he's 83,  and he did make it alone across the Pacific.  An accomplishment to be proud of.

[Sooner]

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@Oznell wrote:

Oh, I don't think so at all, @Sooner .   Although I could always be wrong, I took the "middle of youth" comment to be a little bit of facetious hyperbole.    

A little colorful bravado, under the circumstances-- amusing, and entirely acceptable in my view.   He knows he's 83,  and he did make it alone across the Pacific.  An accomplishment to be proud of.

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@Oznell Well, to me I don't see the glory in it.  I see a family worried, a ton of money spent, a likelihood that things will not turn out well, and nothing accomplished but self agrandizement if it does.  And also the possibility that other individuals will wind up risking their lives to rescue people who pull stunts like this.

That, however, is my personal take on it.  Like mountain climbing. . . I think anyone doing that should have to post a gigantic bond in case of rescue needed.  

[BlueFinch]

I applaud this man. He set an unimaginable goal for his age and accomplished it. He's lifted the bar for others who feel too old to challenge themselves.

Of course, I'd recommend less dangerous challenges. This sailor is an 83 year old 'ironman.' Also smart, being well prepared.

[BoopOMatic]

Better him than me!

[On It]

I would never take such a risk. I am extremely risk averse and thus highly cautious. Couple that with the fact that if I walk across the house without assistance, I think I have accomplished a major milestone.

[feline groovy]

Wow!  Bless him.

[Oznell]

Well said, @BlueFinch !   I do feel that such people, "iron men" as you so aptly put it, can be an inspiration.   Of course, we all have to be aware of our limitations. 

But in his case, he's an experienced, champion boatman and ocean voyager, of many decades, so one surmises he carefully calibrated his chances for success.  He inspires me, in a general sense, for doing something that challenges him.  

[Still Raining]

Cheers to him.  He lived his dream for a bit.