The heat was turned up in Chile last weekend when Claudio Undurraga A. celebrated the 15th annual Summer Sailstice in Algarrobo, with his daughter and her dog Copihue. While most Summer Sailstice sailors would have enjoyed their weekend sailing on the longest day of the year, Claudio and his crew sailed on Chili’s shortest day of the year, the winter solstice.
Although Algarrobo is a popular holiday destination during the southern hemisphere summers, their June temperatures are not always as welcoming. Despite the temperatures and limited daylight hours, Claudio and second mate, Copihue, (who Claudio regards as "a good sailor") sailed under cloudy skies alongside his daughter, who was braving the cool air in a Laser.
A chilly sail on the winter solstice in Chile.
And as for celebrating sailing on the winter solstice? Claudio says they are happy, "...because from now on every day will be longer than the previous one. Sorry yours will be shorter."
Well that's okay Claudio, thanks for the thought, but even after our summer is ended we will do our best to sail our way into the next one!