#2. ADRIENNE II | Brazil To Gran Canaria | Our first tack (Copy)
October 13, 2025 | 17:20 UTC | 20°04.9' N 024°43.7' W | The life onboard as an Apprentice
One year ago I met Andy and Mia at a boat show in Ellös, Sweden. A first encounter with NORDIC FALKEN and 59° North. After a long and interesting conversation for both parts I applied to the apprentice program that 59° North started a few years prior. Half a year later I took a flight down to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria and my first apprentice passage started. This was half a year ago and today I am doing my second apprentice passage with 59 North.
As a 19 year old guy dreaming of one day working with ocean sailing, the life on both FALEKN and now ADRIENNE II is so much more than having the constant view of an endless horizon, magical sunrises and sunsets, good sailing and meeting amazing people that you grow so close to during the passage. The skilled skippers and mates bring you excitement and knowledge about the world I am dreaming of working in. To learn about the weather from Erik, and Tim's knowledge about ADRIENNE II and different sailing stories is amazing to listen to. As well as new experiences from the crew such as Nicole's yoga and spirituality, Jims experience in competition and the constant look for more speed, when sailing and listening to everyones life stories!
Today is the 14th of October and the 14th day at sea the sky is starting to turn blue and small cloud banks cover the small parts of the blue ocean above us. The ocean beneath us has calmed down the last couple of days and the comforting waves rocks the boat while we make our way upwind towards our destination. With us now being in the last third of the passage it is still important to take your reflections of life outside this 70ft boat and still take in the surroundings and enjoy every minute of what the ocean has to offer!
Dinner time is soon here for us, so I better get back to the galley to finish the Chili Con Carne that I am cooking!
Fair winds,
Apprentice/Chef Vilgot
Love to Mom and Dad!
