Aventurers and Explorers - Pete Goss
Pete Goss is a former Royal Marine whose life has been dominated by the sport and adventure of sailing. Always leading from the front Pete is recognized as someone who can put teams together and make things happen, sometimes against seemingly impossible odds. Working on the cutting edge of technology his teams have to be both complex and diverse. Their skills and responsibility range from design to build, sponsorship, PR and of course the adventure itself.
For a speaker to have the ability to connect and move an audience is rare, but to be able to stretch and propel people forward to want to achieve and learn more about themselves is truly remarkable - that's the effect Pete Goss has on people.
His presentations inspire people to enter into a world of self-discovery, to realise their capabilities both individually and collectively, to sharpen their skills and then put them to the test.
Pete Goss is the ultimate competitor, whose outstanding 'can do' philosophy, combined with his limitless courage to overcome all the risks and dangers became abundantly clear in the worlds toughest yacht race, "The Vendée Globe non-stop, single-handed Round the World Race". His vision and ten-year dream in the making, resulted in him setting off from France in November 1996, in a race that would test him, his team and the boat to the absolute limit.
Up against bigger boats, and far better funded competitors, Pete had to risk everything just to get to the starting line. Having had to sell his house and with debts round his neck, he knew that he would have to draw upon all his experience, endurance and strength of mind just to complete the race.
Then quite unexpectedly in December the drama of the race unfolded in the notorious hostile environment of the southern ocean. The world looked on as huge seas and winds of up to 80mph pounded Raphael Dinelli's stricken boat; he was facing certain death. After receiving the distress call Pete immediately turned his boat around and battled for two days against hurricane force winds to reach Dinelli and rescue him - the rest is now history.
Pete became the fastest British sailor to sail single handed around the world in 126 days and 21 hours. For his heroic rescue of Dinelli, he was awarded France's highest decoration, the Legion d'Honneur by President Chirac of France, and the MBE by Her Majesty the Queen.
His single-minded determination during the last leg of the race became abundantly clear when he was forced to operate on himself without anaesthetic and just a few basic instructions to repair ruptured muscles around his elbow, after which he joked. "Now I'm truly a single-handed sailor".
Pete's captivating story of his life and the Vendee is now in print, "Close to the Wind" which summons each of us to search for our own vision, and to have the courage and determination to face our own challenges. He emphasises that his success is due, in no small part, to his totally dedicated and committed team, whose skills and focus are united, in a common drive to succeed.
People come away inspired from Pete's talks, sharing in his ethos of taking responsibility for what they want to achieve and for what they believe in.
Rising to the Challenge
Pete Goss should have been competing in The Race, an ultimate test of physical and mental endurance to be the fastest to sail around the world, without any rules or limits. The Race represents everything that Pete believes in. He led the project to build the worlds largest catamaran and combined both all the individual talents of his team with the latest in technology and design. Closer to Star Wars than Howard's Way, Team Philips was the very essence of innovation. The revolutionary catamaran has hardly been out of the news sailing at speeds of up to 50 knots, after two major setbacks including a break in the bows and mast repairs the boat was finally lost at sea in December 2000. This project captured the public's imagination as one of the most exciting and daring adventures in more ways than one.
The project is best summed up in Pete's own words.
Pete Goss today announced that the Team Philips' project has drawn to a close.
,For me, it has been a privilege to have been custodian of such a special dream which has touched so many. I could not have wished for a more dignified and supportive team who, together, have been through so much. If anything has kept us going during the hard times and made the good times so rewarding it is the incredible public support that we enjoyed. This is best embodied by the hull names and volunteers who have given so much to help others participate in our adventure."
,Accepting the risks we chose to drive in the fast lane. Defeat, however, sometimes has to be accepted. As a team we can look it in the eye knowing that we gave it our all.
,We dared to dream and we are proud of what we achieved.,
In a common statement, the sponsors said: ,Team Philips was an unique project and at the cutting edge of technology. In such a pioneering yacht there is always an element of risk, which we acknowledged from the outset. By the nature of our businesses, we believe in pushing the boundaries of technology and taking prudent risks.
,The sponsorship has delivered many of its objectives. The craft was innovative and beautiful. She captivated all who saw her and evoked emotions that we are all proud to have been associated with.,
Should Team Philips appear at a later date, the sponsors have agreed to work with Goss Challenges to take the appropriate steps that her condition dictates.
Pete is the author of a best selling book and is happily married with three young children and enjoys furniture making.
