Resilience Articles
The Full Circle Expedition, an ambitious 2,000-mile journey, is more than just a circumnavigation of the United Kingdom. It’s a journey of resilience, a quest for adventure, and a resounding testament to the valor of veterans navigating barriers beyond the battleground. Seventy wounded, injured, and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel make up the rotating crew aboard the Spirit of Falmouth and the Pellew, respectively 28-metre and 27-metre traditionally-rigged sailing yachts.
Kick-starting their journey on 17 March from Falmouth, Cornwall, these intrepid mariners are slated to visit 22 ports scattered across England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales before the anticipated return to Falmouth on 11 June 2026. Orchestrated by veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard, the expedition is a partnership initiative with the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, a renowned international adaptive sporting event dedicated to the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS service personnel and veterans.
A game characterised by calming waves mingling with towering tides, sailing is as much about weathering the storm as it is about basking in the tranquil seas. Nothing echoes this testament quite like the current SailGP season. Ridden with unexpected hiatuses and unforeseen continuations, the season has become a testament to the waves of unpredictability that oftentimes characterise the seafaring journey.
Ever envisioned sailing smoothly to your destination, only to be faced with a sudden halt? Well, the participants of the SailGP season certainly didn’t see the intermittent pauses coming. Yet they’ve managed to not only weather this storm but also make the most of these unexpected breaks. Viewing this phase as an opportunity to regroup and strategise, these sea warriors have turned the tide in their favour.