Mi.No. 2684 Bulgarien
1978, 19. Mai. Weltumsegler Georgi Georgiev. RaTdr.; gez. K
13.
cxb) Segeljacht "Kor Karoli", Weltkarte
Auflage: 100 000 Stuck
PAINTER - ST. KANCHEV
Transport, Ships, FIRST BULGARIAN AROUND THE WORLD CAPT. GEORGI
GEORGIEV DEC.20 19 76-DEC.20.19 77 , YACHT COR CAROLI AND MAP OF
VOYAGE
The Circumnavigation
The Circumnavigation After the OSTAR George moved his boat to
New York in order to inspect the hull, mast and rigging and to
refurbish its electronics (especially the autopilot). Here he
awaited for the permission of the yacht club and higher authorities
to continue his way and to circle the globe. His intention was to
sail around the globe the harder way - around the Cape Horn, but
the skippers´ council of the yacht club prudently decided that this
was too risky for him and, especially, for the tiny boat. So, on
the 20th of December 1976 Cor Caroli and George left Havana to
begin their circumnavigation.
The route which was recommended from Bulgaria was described by
George as "Only for ladies". But he was determined to make it hard
even for a professional and tough sailor as he himself was. He did
not lose time for the beauties of Nuku Hiva, Tongareva, Suva and
other Pacific islands and places. He wanted to sail as fastest as
possible - in fact he never stopped racing: racing with time, with
the Ocean, with himself. Only two stops during his circumnavigation
were longer than several days - in Suva and in Port Darwin,
Australia. The reason: serious damages of the boat which needed
repairs. Captain George crossed the Indian Ocean during the winter
season in 54 days, which at that time was fantastic crossing.
The second fastest crossing was from Capetown to Cuba (7138
nautical miles), which George made in just 50 days. Because of that
frenzy rhythm, he suffered several critical moments during his
sailing around the world. He was grounded in the infamous Torres
strait but managed to continue with practically no damage, and two
days before his finish in Cuba - this time the grounding was due to
extreme fatigue, and again he managed to take his boat from the
reef alone with minor damages and to enter Havana on the 20th of
December 1977 - exactly one year after he had left the Cuban
capital. His pure sailing time was just under 202 days, the average
day´s passage - 121,03 miles, and the average speed - 5,04 knots.
The total distance covered during his circumnavigation was 24,435
nautical miles. George himself felt that this achievment was some
kind of a record, but nobody in the country bothered to make the
necessary inquiries.
This was done after George´s death and it turned out to be true.
Cor Caroli´s circumnavigation was nominated as world record for
that route, was entered in the Guiness Book of Records´s edition in
1982 and remained there for nearly 10 years! And that was the best
international acknowledgment for the achievment of the humble
Bulgarian sailor. George Georgiev died in 1980, just a fortnight
before his 50th anniversary. Although he received the highest state
honours and decorations, his main award is that he always will be
remembered by the nation as "The Captain" - i.e. that Captain who
represents the universal strive for the Sea.
ART DOLPHIN
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