The only boat from the World ARC 2020-21 to complete the circumnavigation.

When Valerio Bardi, skipper of Milanto – a Nautor Swan 46 MKII, started the circumnavigation with the World ARC in January 2020, the future was something that could still be planned. By April, the extensive impact of the pandemic had reached the rally when the boats arrived in Tahiti. Most of the participants abandoned their circumnavigation and crews were repatriated.

Milanto decided to continue sailing, finding the best possible route in challenging circumstances. By this time, many of the planned stops were closed to maritime traffic, so from Fiji Milanto sailed to Indonesia on a 4,000NM passage with just three crew. Then after crossing the Indian Ocean and navigating the coast of South Africa, arriving in Cape Town in time for Christmas felt like a real achievement.

In the end it became a real Odyssey! It was not easy, but it was not impossible. Their determination was rewarded as Milanto was able to visit places during a unique moment in time, landing in nearly deserted locations due to the total absence of tourism.

‘Looking back at this year and time spent with crew member, Amancio Maciá and my first mate, Lorenzo Cipriani, I am so grateful for the people we met along the way, the travelling companions who accompanied us for as long as they could and the life of freedom we had as compared to others. The world stopped, but the sea kept moving – carrying us along with it.’ – Valerio Bardi.  

You can read about their circumnavigation at: http://www.milanto46.com/