Jimmy Cornell, the legend of sailing guides

When I started preparing for my first voyage, I had very little experience, so I remember avidly reading all the books available on the subject. – J.C

At that time, most sailing books had a major drawback: they reflected the point of view of a single person, the author. They tended to be subjective and rarely included alternative perspectives.

Today, at 81 years old, Jimmy Cornell is a world-renowned sailor and author of numerous publications, including the world’s best-selling nautical book World Cruising Routes, written with the aim of helping other long-distance sailors on their journeys around the world.

He has sailed more than 200,000 miles across all the world’s oceans, including three circumnavigations, as well as voyages to Antarctica and the Northwest Passage.

The first time Jimmy visited Marina Coruña was thanks to a rally that he himself organised. Since then, he has visited us on numerous occasions.

Originally from Romania and with British nationality, over the last 35 years Jimmy has organised 5 round-the-world rallies and 36 transatlantic rallies, in which more than 3,000 boats and 15,000 sailors have taken part.

The other day we had the opportunity to meet with him. Here is what he told us!

Jimmy, tell us, how would you define yourself in two lines for someone who doesn’t know you?

We are starting with a very difficult question! I don’t think I can define myself in just two lines with everything I have to tell. I have sailed extensively across all the oceans of the world, completed 3 circumnavigations, travelled to Antarctica and also to the Arctic. I set myself many goals to achieve, I am a speaker and author of many nautical publications that have been translated into several languages. What makes me happiest is knowing that millions of sailors have been able to make their dreams come true thanks to my books and the transatlantic rallies I organised.

You have sailing in your blood, but… what inspired you to start writing?

My profession is journalism and I worked for many years at the BBC. Between 1975 and 1981, I made my first major journey around the world with my wife and children. During that time, I sent recorded tapes to the BBC about the trip, recorded music… And when I returned, they offered me a position at the BBC to continue working as a journalist.

It was after this journey that I wrote my first sailing book, followed by many others. But this first book was where my idea of writing about “how” to make these journeys began. With my background as a journalist, I understood the importance of this goal: writing to inform and help others, and I followed the same principle in my sailing books. Not writing personal stories, but books designed to provide information. This is the reason behind the success of my books: they are about how to do it, not about how Jimmy Cornell does it. They are not about me.

Many sailors achieved their dream thanks to your books. How does that make you feel?

I am sure I was a help to them, and that is why I do it. It is what truly motivates me to write.

I write to help people who do not have the experience but want to live these adventures. I want to help them have all the information sources they need to prepare and carry out what they want to achieve.

I have books about preparing for a voyage, books for the departure (sailing routes – I have all the routes in the world, from Antarctica to Panama, etc.), and also books about maritime destinations around the world (paperwork for entering countries, what to see, what to do, etc.).

I also have a personal book, “200,000 Miles”, where I talk about my experiences over the last 45 years, my boats and my journeys. It is a very complex book that also includes practical information.

What is your favourite place in the world to sail?

I would say two places, one in the cold part of the planet and another in the warm part. On the cold side, I have been to Antarctica twice and I think it is a fantastic world. It is not like it was 5,000 years ago, and climate change is noticeable, but despite this, it remains an incredible landscape with a pure and wild environment that I love.

On the warm side, I enjoy the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. They are also an incredible place to experience the beauty of nature.

But I must say that if I had to choose one place in the world that stands out because of its people, I would say the Canary Islands. I love the Canarians!

You organised many rallies, were a pioneer and created 5 around-the-world rallies and 36 ocean crossings. What is the best thing about this type of sailing?

The best thing is that, for people who may not have all the experience, you travel as part of a group and within an organised event. And if there is a problem, you have the support of the organisation and other participants.

Furthermore, a rally gives you discipline. When you travel alone, schedules are not as strict and if something happens, you can delay departures without major problems. In a rally, it is different: departures are planned and each stage gives you a discipline that helps you achieve the goal.

You have a sustainable sailing project called Aventura Zero, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of ocean voyages. Can you tell us a little more about the project?

When you sail through the Northwest Passage, in Alaska, you realise that there really is a serious climate problem. We are aware of it, but action is still missing, and the fact that we have reached this point is a failure of humanity.

As a sailor, I wanted to do something: sail around the world with a completely electric boat, with a zero carbon footprint. That was the idea and concept behind my boat: Aventura Zero.

It is a catamaran with two hulls and two propellers that, when the boat is sailing, move and generate electricity like a hydro-generator. Therefore, if there is enough wind, everything you need on board, such as cooking, lighting, etc., is generated by the propellers.

What brought you to Marina Coruña for the first time?

The first time was 8 years ago when I organised a trans-European rally. The idea was to stop in A Coruña just to visit. But afterwards, I came back 3 or 4 more times because I really like it.

The Galician landscape and the rías are something beautiful to enjoy while sailing. But what I like most, without a doubt, is the seafood and a good Albariño wine!

The welcome from the people is something I would like to highlight, both at the Marina and in Galicia in general. It is a small, charming place where I always feel welcome.