Batting the Breeze

The America's Cup - the pinnacle of professional sailing and one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in international sport. The 2003 America's Cup: 10 teams, 1 winner. What was it like to be a competitor in one of these elite teams? Simon Fry has experienced the thrills and spills, the highs, the lows, the fierce rivalries and the extreme physical demands of the sport first-hand. Originating in1851, when the schooner "America" triumphed in a race around the Isle of Wight, the America's Cup has since become a symbol of sporting excellence and innovation. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to capture the imagination of sailors, spectators and investors. Simon talks with passion about the America's Cup's rich history and his part in it.
Show Notes: https://www.battingthebreeze.com/battling-the-breeze-in-the-2003-americas-cup

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Jazz musician Rick DellaRatta witnessed the 9/11 attacks from a rooftop in New York City. While watching the unfolding tragedy in front of him, he was inspired to write a poem which later became known as "Jazz for Peace”. Rick didn’t realise it at the time, but Jazz for Peace would become a worldwide movement promoting peace, garnering international recognition and support, most notably from Barack Obama and the United Nations who acknowledged its impact. Rick shares memories of this extraordinary journey.

For more information, check out show notes at

https://www.battingthebreeze.com/jazz-for-peace

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"If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism." Today I had the privilege to meet one person with autism. Stuart Carlson is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder but he is defined by his extraordinary musical ability. He is a concert violinist and composer. I tried to understand the contradiction between the very earthly challenges that Stuart and his family face every day and the apparent ethereal effortlessness with which he communicates through his violin - I couldn’t.
For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/symphony-of-a-mind/

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At the last count, 221 million people have migrated, ie moved from their “country of usual residence”; that’s 3.5% of the world’s population. Of these, just short of 80 million were forcibly moved from their homes as refugees, asylum seekers, or internally displaced. But there are many that move to join their families, to study or to seek a new life. I was lucky enough to catch up with one such person seeking a new life. She’s a gem.
For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/from-belarus-with-love/.

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If I suggested that you spend nine months away from home and family and sail 32,000 miles around the world the hard way around (ie against prevailing winds and currents), what would you say? And suppose I then told you that eight of your crew had never sailed before and, by the way, Hurricane Michael would be waiting to greet you?
Well, that’s what happened to adventurer, author and - to some - mad person Manley Hopkinson. As one of the skippers in the 2000-01 BT Global Challenge, the world’s toughest yacht race, Manley guided his 40-ton 72-foot steel cutter and a part-trained but very spirited Team Large through storms, doldrums and everything in between. They took everything in their stride until they came face-to-face with Hurricane Michael, an event that would test Manley’s sailing expertise and leadership skills to the limit.
Show notes: https://www.battingthebreeze.com/hurricane-michael-and-the-compassionate-captain

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