Courtesy of The Weekend Sailor to be shown at the International Ocean Film Festival in San Francisco in March 2017.

The Weekend Sailor is a feature documentary about the unexpected victory of the Mexican yacht Sayula II in the first crewed sailing race around the world in 1974.

In 1973, the United Kingdom organized the first head-to-head sailing race around the world, inviting expert crews from Europe and other countries against each other. The Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, today known as the Volvo Ocean Race, was the most demanding sailing competition in history to that time.

The British Royal Navy purchased six yachts to train 800 men and chose the best four 10-man crews for each of the four legs of the race.

Surprisingly, Ramon Carlín, an inexperienced 50’ish Mexican man, with his wife, son, family and friends also registered and surprised everyone by beating every other boat. “

“Carlín’s humble beginnings, tireless work ethic, believe in himself, and his resultant triumph remind me greatly of the characteristics and nature of many open water swimmers,” said Steven Munatones. “They literally out-do themselves from an outside perspective, but in reality, Carlín and open water swimmers simply show what can be done with hard work, passion and commitment.”

For more information, visit www.theweekendsailor.com.

Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association