By Matteo Zaccagnino, Editor-in-chief
The great thing about sport is that every achievement has a story to tell. It doesn’t matter if it’s a record, a first, a medal, a podium. It’s what makes the difference that counts. And so, among the many news items that marked the week just ended, one in particular caught my attention. The protagonist of this extraordinary story has a name and a surname. His name is Jingkun Xu.
On 18th February at 08:08 in the morning Les Sables d’Olonne time, Xu crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe in 30th place after sailing around the world for 99 days, 20 hours and 6 minutes. What struck me was not so much the result in sporting terms as Xu’s story. Yes, because he is the first Chinese skipper to complete such a feat. But that’s not all. What makes Xu’s story even more extraordinary is his personal history, which becomes a symbol of determination, resilience and inspiration, capable of transcending the boundaries of sailing and speaking to anyone who has found themselves in a situation where they had to face an obstacle considered insurmountable. Yes, because when he was only 12 years old, the sailor from Qingdao lost his left hand in an accident.
A trauma that is difficult to face, especially at that age and with his whole life ahead of him. Yet Xu did not give up and it was precisely in adversity that he found the drive and energy to excel. Xu’s courage was not only demonstrated by taking part in the regatta, but also by completing it with an exceptional performance, showing that the value of an undertaking is not only in reaching the podium, but in having been able to resist and finish the challenge.
‘Yes, I had a difficult childhood and found myself in a corner, in a very dark place. It was a difficult experience at the time, but I learnt that every time I encounter a difficulty I face it and move forward and try to solve all my problems and so in the end my childhood gave me the courage to solve all my problems and gave me the strength to always look ahead’ Xu said the day after his arrival. Partly because the Chinese skipper had to face many difficult moments during his round-the-world trip.
‘The Vendée Globe is the most difficult event in the world, not only in terms of navigation, but also in many other aspects,’ continues Xu, adding: ‘It’s an extreme mental and physical challenge. The most difficult situation I had to face? Five days before crossing the finish line. Nobody would have imagined that I would break a generator so close to the finish line, thus depriving myself of electricity. It was the only moment when I thought I should give up. Nothing worked anymore. But I immediately got back on my feet to find a solution. I managed to repair a hydrogenerator, which allowed me to continue my race and get here’.
A challenge within a challenge, but one that also offered some intense moments. Looking back over his diary of memories, Xu has no doubts: ‘There were many wonderful moments during this race. If I had to choose one, it would be the day I escaped the Southern Ocean. I arrived in a windless area, where the sea was absolutely calm, like a mirror. I was able to observe the sunrise and sunset reflecting on the water, beautiful images that will remain etched in my memory forever. I also received many messages of support, especially from children.
Some sent me drawings, others sang for me. I was particularly touched by a school in Marseille: the students spent a whole day working with one hand, putting a sock on the other, to better understand my condition. This gesture moved me deeply. It also gave me a lot of courage’. Sailing, therefore, is confirmed as an extraordinary school of life where it’s not only the sporting result that counts, but above all the human aspect. Xu’s feat adds a further element of reflection to the history of this extraordinary regatta, making it perhaps unique in the panorama of sporting events in general, and not only those that take place at sea. And the words of the Chinese sailor are the most obvious confirmation of this: ‘There have been many difficult moments in my daily life at sea, but I have grown thanks to them, both as a man and as an athlete.
For me, giving up was never an option: I wanted to go all the way. My only choice was to fight and face every difficulty. I was unable to adapt the boat to my disability. The boat is a machine designed for people with two hands, so inevitably I encountered real obstacles. But in the end, we all have unexpected strengths within us. You can achieve and overcome anything.’ Only in this way can dreams come true.
