18/04/2024
"I’ve had the enormous pleasure of racing on everything from IMOCA 60s to Extreme 40 catamarans and more recently even traditional luggers, but the experience of sailing the Azorean whaleboat left a huge impression on me.
The design of an Azorean whaleboat, which was used right up until the 1980s to hunt and catch giant s***m whales migrating through the Azores archipelago, has changed very little over time.
While I might feel uncomfortable about their past history, few could argue about the sailing skills that were required to get these boats launched into the Atlantic swell, ready for an almighty battle when a whale was spotted from lookouts placed strategically around the island.
When the invitation came from Ana Brum, Mayor of Lajes do Pico, to join a small select group visiting Pico Island in the Azores archipelago, with the chance to sail on board these original hunting vessels, I had no idea what a voyage of discovery this would be."
https://www.yachtingworld.com/extraordinary-boats/hunters-to-racers-the-fascinating-world-of-azorean-whaleboat-racing-151143
Rodrigo Moreira Rato Andrew Pindar Filipe Fernandes Diogo B Diniz Pedro Silva Whaleboat World
Welcome to Azorean whaleboat racing, where the top crews are truly athletic, raising the main mast by hand: a 9m tree trunk. Conrad Humphreys joins them
