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Derek Hatfield

Spirit of Canada

Born on 30th August 1952 in Newcastle (Canada)
Lives in Mahone Bay (Canada)
IMOCA Skipper since 2007

www.spiritofcanada.net


  It takes tremendous courage, determination and persistence to sail around the world alone. Only 126 brave sailors have ever done it. As perspective, this is fewer than the approximately 400 astronauts who have gone into space or the over 1800 mountaineers who have reached the summit of Mt. Everest. It is a tremendous accomplishment under normal circumstances, but Derek Hatfield's story is truly inspiring. Starting in September 2002 and ending in May of 2003, Derek completed over 28,700 nautical miles in the "Around Alone" Single-handed Yacht Race. Despite major obstacles along the way, Derek was 1 of 9 international competitors and the only Canadian to finish the grueling event. To enter the Around Alone Derek built his own boat specifically designed for this race. Unable to find a corporate sponsor, Derek, family and friends worked tirelessly over five years to build and fund the boat from scratch and get him to the start line.


There were tremendous accomplishments throughout the race but the major challenge occurred in the fourth leg of the race off infamous Cape Horn. Here, after fighting 60 foot waves during a day long Southern Ocean gale, a vertical breaking wave pitch-poled Spirit of Canada. The boat stood on its nose, flipped upside down then back up again. Derek was thrown off the deck into the frigid Southern Ocean water and then scooped up again as the boat righted itself. Unfortunately, Spirit of Canada was dismasted in the accident. Devastated, Derek motored Spirit of Canada over 30 hours to Ushuaia; Argentina. Over the next four weeks, Derek and his team of friends and supporters worked diligently to repair the boat and get him back onto the racecourse. With a new mast, new sails and electronics, Spirit of Canada was once again sailing but obviously significantly behind the rest of the boats.


On May 31st 2003, after almost 8 months at sea, Derek arrived in Newport - the finish line - to a hero's welcome, as hundreds of people came out to pay homage to a man who just wouldn't quit. Finishing an amazing 3rd place overall in Class II, Derek was the fastest 40' boat throughout the event. After a successful career with the R.C.M.P. and a number of years managing compliance activities for brokerage firms in the securities industry, Derek is now a professional sailor and motivational speaker. Courage, determination, persistence and passion paid off. Derek and the Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges Team are now building a competitive 60-foot Class I Spirit of Canada and plan to race around the world again in the Five Oceans Race in 2006.


Results

- 2003: Rolex Yachtman of the Year
- 2003: Trophée Gerry Roufs Offshore
- 2003: Ontarian Yachtman of the Year
- 1999: 2nd place, Bermudes One-Two
- 1997: 2nd place, Bermudes One-Two
- 1996: 1st place and overaal winner de la course transatlantique Legend Cup
- 1996: 7th place, transatlantic race singlehanded Europe 1-Star
- 1994: 1st place, Singlehanded serie Labatt


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