James Feldkamp

Founder of JLF Solutions James Feldkamp has a goal to compete in the Clipper Round the World Race. He is fascinated with this one-of-a-kind yachting spectacle that sees people work in groups to achieve what very few others have ever achieved before. Feldkamp is also enamored by many of the places participants will get to see in this global event. Image source: chinatouradvisors.com One such place is Sanya in China. Best known for the crystal blue water and well-preserved beaches, Sanya is unlike any other place people have seen before. Located at the southern tip of the province of Hainan, Sanya is never short of visitors. A vast majority of Sanya’s attractions are near or on the water, which is why it has oftentimes been compared to Hawaii. One of the most popular spots in Sanya is Tianya Haijiao, which means ‘edge of the sky, rim of the sea.’ It is 15 miles from the center of the city and is drenched in local folklore. The three rocks in the area are famous attr...

Leg 2 of the Clipper Round the World Race is considered one of the most challenging parts of the course because of the perilous conditions of the South Atlantic Ocean. There are the Trade Winds that can damage the sailboat’s spinnaker, which may require hours of strenuous stitching to repair. There is also the difficulty of traversing through long, rolling swells that will test the physical and mental state of the skippers, which James Feldkamp would be this 2019. Image source: yachtsandyachting.com It is also said that the second leg should be treated as a marathon, not a sprint. But after approximately 18 days and 4,200 miles of sailing, the stopover at Cape Town, South Africa can help the crew recover well for many reasons. For one, the port city is just beneath the famous Table Mountain and is bordered by the sea on both sides. It is also home to a biodiverse species of flora and fauna, which can be enjoyed in the Company’s Gardens, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and...

One of the most prestigious and challenging boating spectacles, the Clipper Round the World Race marks its 12th year with another challenge to amateur and professional sailors willing to take the helm over its eight-stop course. On its last leg, sailors will be racing from the U.S. West Coast, down to South America, and conclude on the East Coast. Image source: economictimes.indiatimes.com Bridging the leg is Panama, a world-renowned destination for sailors who want to sail east to west or vice versa through the Panama Canal. According to James Feldkamp, a security expert who will be participating in the race, the Panama Canal has been a key maritime figure. Here are some interesting facts about the Panama Canal that every sailor must know. The original plan was to build the canal in Nicaragua The United States originally wanted to build the canal bridging the Atlantic and the Pacific in Nicaragua. The plan was later on changed thanks to the effort of French engineer P...

Hainan Island is located at the Southern end of China, with stunning tropical weather that doesn’t experience winter. James Feldkamp, along with other participants of Clipper Round the World Race, will get to visit this paradise during the fifth leg of the competition. Here are some travel tips in case you find yourself in Hainan Island. Enjoy Coconut Festival. Because of its large production of coconuts, Hainan island is also known as “Coconut Island.” During late March or early April each year, island dwellers hold “Coconut Festival” for the tourists. Visitors can trek to Haikou for the coconut lanterns, or go to Sanya Bay to watch the revered dragon boat race and folk martial arts completion, among other activities. Image source: thetravelintern.com Savor the local flavors. Hainan Island boasts a wide array of tropical fruits such as lychees, bananas, pineapple, and it has a huge selection of seafood. James Feldkamp, as well as the other competitors of the Clipper Ro...

Image source: isportconnect.com The Clipper Round the World Race is a yacht race with no equal, and it is one of the biggest challenges of the natural world. In order to have proper preparation for a race as extreme as the Clipper Race, one must get past the beginner status and move on to become an experienced racer. Some ocean-racing athletes may be completely new to the idea of the Clipper Race. That shouldn’t be a problem, as there are a number of training programs not as competitive as the Clipper Race’s, which can be more suitable for first-timers. A beginner must choose the right race , maybe a regatta for an organization. There are more mellow races, and a racer must view it as a learning goal. Image source: allevents.in Ask an experienced racer along for the ride , and consider them as a safety net. A patient pal can be a great teacher, but treat them as just crew so as to not be dependent on them throughout the race. Go spinnaker-less even if the boat h...

Australia is definitely one of the world’s best yachting destination thanks to its first-class boating facilities. This is also one of the reasons why South Australia was chosen as the fourth leg of the Clipper Round the World Race in 2019. The race is an epic 8-leg race that passes through different oceans and continents, bringing together amateurs and professionals on a 70ft ocean-racing yachts. Image source: portlincoln.sa.gov.au Image source: australiantraveller.com South Australia alone has over 5,000km of coastline. Between Spencer and St. Vincent Gulf, you will certainly find your boating experience pleasurable. Here are some destinations you can visit on your yacht in the southern part of Australia. Port Lincoln The town was originally built on commercial fishing and contains the biggest fleet of commercial fishing boats in the country. Still, Port Lincoln also offers high-quality permanent facilities as well as facilities for short-term berths. While y...

Image source: asia-pacificboating.com The Clipper Round the World Race will be on its 11th year in 2019. It’s a race where participants boarding 70-foot racing yachts circumnavigate the world in eight grueling stages and 13 to 16 individual races, each progressively testing their skills and endurance. The race was established by the first man to circumnavigate the world alone on a boat, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. What’s unique about the Clipper Round the World Race is that it’s not dominated by professionals. Everyday people join every year after completing rigorous training courses and availing of necessary protective gear to start the race. At the end of the day, there’s a mix of people from different backgrounds working together to be the fastest boat on the water. One of the legs of the event brings participants to Asia. The fifth leg of the race begins at the southeast tip of Australia and goes north up to the Olympic sailing city of Qingdao, China. Along the way, partici...