Inspired by Bertrand Delhom, a sailor with Parkinson's Disease who is crewing aboard Neptune in the Ocean Globe Race, Modern Sailing member Amy Bridge is helping to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's research.
Neptune, an Andre Mauric designed aluminum monohull was especially designed to compete in the Whitbread in 1977, a 27,000 mile crewed round the world race. After a serious rebuild, Neptune is back and currently sailing in the Ocean Globe Race. Having rounded Capetown, Auckland, and Cape Horn to port in Punta del Este, Neptune skipper Tanneguy Raffray and crew are on a mission that started with an introduction to Bertrand Delhom, a lifelong sailor from Brittany, France, who is afflicted with Parkinsons Disease.
Neptune also has a mission to raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease, as crew member Bertrand suffers from the disease.
A Sailor with Parkinson's Disease Joins the Crew of Neptune
Skipper Tann Raffray shares, “Fascinated by the sea from my earliest childhood, I have always been particularly drawn to the Whitbread. It’s the ultimate and authentic adventure race. Since my teenage years I have shared my time between medical and seafaring ventures. Parkinson’s Disease has also had a profound effect on my own family. When Bertrand Delhom wrote to me asking to join us on Neptune as a crew member for this three cape sailing race, we not only enthusiastically accepted but we also decided to dedicate our race to the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.
“It’s a first in the history of sailboat racing on the high seas. Through this very human, seafaring venture lasting several months, we want to send a message of hope to the seven million people suffering with this disease around the world today (300,000 in France). We are aiming for the widest possible reach in terms of public visibility, support for carers, guides and researchers. We will be receiving help from the Rennes Centre for Neurosciences (pôle de Neuro Sciences de Rennes), the Centre in Brest as well as from the Kerpape Business Incubator specialized in adaptation to disabilities."
The crew of Neptune now sport gold earrings, a tradition for sailors who have rounded Cape Horn.
A Surgeon, an Administrator, a Financier, a Doctor, a Coxswain, an Equestrian, an Acrobat, a Sailor, a Rigger, a Sail Maker, an Architect, a Meteorologist… all with a shared passion - sailboat racing - are all now part of the effort known as Neptune Gagner Avec Parkinsons: Neptune, Win with Parkinsons (Beat Parkinsons) – and a spinnaker that proudly proclaims Qui Ose Vivra – Those who dare, live.
A chance meeting with these folks resulted in a committed member and supporter of Modern Sailing, Amy Bridge, joining forces with this group to bring their efforts to the Bay Area’s attention. With research advancing at Stanford, UCSF and so many other stellar California institutions, we hope to create a bridge that furthers research, increases awareness and funding and connects the Bay Area Sailing Community with that of Neptune.
Amy's Inspired Efforts
Amy tells us, "I met an incredible group of people and sailors, men and women, all ages and learned of their mission, to sail around the world, on a rebuilt Whitbread Heritage Sailboat, Neptune. I met Bertrand, who I came to learn had a lifelong dream, as a sailor to sail around the world. Now, he was going to attempt the challenge in spite of his PD diagnosis and associated issues. We connected through a shared love for sailing, and as human beings. I felt immediate empathy for Bertrand, and respect for Tann and all those engaged. I felt compelled to engage from home in some way - to support them, travel to see them off last September, and follow the adventure.
"The story drove me to share this experience when I came back to the US. Something about Bertrand, Tann and the story resonated with me - things in common - my age, my sport, past health issues, and I saw how hard life had become - and here he was preparing to realize a lifelong dream, thanks to the caring of other sailors.
"I came home and connected with Davis Phinney, Michael J. Fox, and everyone I knew who had been impacted by Parkinsons. I began a social media campaign to raise awareness and donated out of my own resources to help make this known. I looked at the network of my life, my sport, and the things we have in common. I have been fortunate to get help, by others who know me and understand why I am passionate about Neptune. When the race is over, I will welcome them safely back and sail back to France with them across the English Channel. Then, the work will really begin in making more connections between the US and France, a documentary, and hopefully in the near future, a cure."
What to Know about Bertrand Delholm, Tann Raffray, Neptune, and Crew:
- Sailing on a Boat of National Interest - Bateau d’Intérêt Patrimonial (BIP)
- Thriving on the benefits of an intergenerational and multi-skilled crew
- Committing to the fight against neurodegenerative diseases and spearheading the project to this end
- Working on the boat’s ergonomics to make it accessible for people with disabilities, to future-proof it for use after the Ocean Globe Race
- Communicating on the adventure as experienced on land
- Establishing close connections between the fabric of the Morbihan, its entrepreneurs and the project
- Passing Cape Horn in the wake of the great sailing boats of old
If you have greater interest, please let us know and follow postings on social media. Also, listen for updates on the San Francisco Experience podcast, with Jim Herlihy.
Follow Nepture on Social Media and the Internet
www.OceanGlobeRace.com/Entrants/Neptune
Facebook - Neptune Gagner Avec Parkinson
Instagram - Neptune Gagner Avec Parkinson
LinkedIn - Neptune Gagner Avec Parkinson
Twitter (X) - Neptune Gagner Avec Parkinson
The San Francisco Experience Podcast with Jim Herlihy - Can be heard on 15 platforms worldwide
Follow Bertrand Delhom on Facebook
Articles on the Web:
www.yachtingmonthly.com - The 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race
www.Sail-World.com - The Ocean Globe Race wears a red tulip to raise awareness of World Parkinson's Day
blog.lsvtglobal.com - An LSVT Graduate on board the Neptune for the Ocean Globe Race 2023
www.lespatientssengagent.fr - BERTRAND DELHOM, Patient Aventurier, Association "Neptune, Gagner avec un Parkinson"
www.letelegramme.fr - Bertrand Delhom, stronger than illness
Davis Phinney Foundation - Moments of Victory, Amy Bridge and Bertrand Delhom
Contact Amy Bridge
To learn more about Amy's efforts and find out how you can show your support, she can be reached at neptunewinwithparkinsons@gmail.com or bridgelikeabridge@gmail.com.
Donations of all efforts may be made at https://www.fondation-patrimoine.org/les-projets/bateau-neptune-au-bono.
To translate webpages from French to English, look for a translate button in your browser's URL bar, as demonstrated circled in green in the screenshot below.
