Personal Info
- Country of residence: Palestine
Information
On his own initiative, the Palestinian Nabil Amra sails around the world, raising the Palestinian flag, in the largest sailing competition of its kind, known as the “Golden Globe Race,” meaning the “Golden World Race,” which begins in France on July 1.
Nabil decided to apply to run this non-stop individual race around the world, and this race is considered one of the most dangerous sailing races in the world.
One of the conditions for the international competition is that boat conditions simulate history 50 years ago (1968), which is the year in which the first and last race of this type took place until today.
All the adventurous sailors who ran this race at that time surrendered, disappeared, or died, except for one who reached the finish line.
This year's race is the golden jubilee of the first race, and 18 sailors from different countries of the world, including Nabil Amra, are participating.
Competitors are prevented from taking advantage of modern technology to know their location at sea, and the navigation path is determined solely by the sun, moon, and stars.
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Over the past two years, Nabil sold his property in America, resigned from his job at a bank in Minnesota, and used all his savings to train, buy a boat, and prepare for the desired adventure.
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Nabil, the only Arab participant, is required to have enough water and drink for a trip that takes approximately seven to ten months, because he will not be allowed to return to land throughout the trip.
If the contestant runs out of food and drink, he will have to catch fish to live, and drink rain or ocean water.
Nabil - who was born in America and whose origins go back to the city of Al-Bireh in occupied Palestine - insisted on raising the Palestinian flag on his boat, which he bought and called “Freedom 2,” to send a message to the world that sailing is a symbol of freedom, open borders, and the right to self-determination for the Palestinians.
New chapter
Over the past two years, Nabil sold his property in America, resigned from his job at a bank in Minnesota, and used all his savings to train, buy a boat, and prepare for the desired adventure.
Nabil decided to register in the international competition in the name of Palestine, raise his country’s flag on his boat, wear the Palestinian keffiyeh, and take with him a doll in the shape of the child captive Ahed Tamimi, a gift from his sister Soraya and his extended family, who supported his adventure despite their deep concern for him, so that Palestine would participate in this for the first time. In this international competition.
Nabil (43 years old) said that he decided to open a new chapter in his life by participating in this competition and sailing under the Palestinian flag. “I want to represent the Palestinian people who have suffered and are suffering a lot, and to offer something to my people. What is the meaning of life without adventure?”
Nabil adds that Palestine is located in the Mediterranean basin, but the Palestinian people are prevented from benefiting from the sea due to the Israeli occupation of their country. “Sailing is a symbol of freedom, open borders, and the human right to self-determination.”
Nabil confirms that his family moved to live in his city of Al-Bireh during the first intifada in 1987, when he was 12 years old. He says, “One time I was arrested and Israeli soldiers beat me for several days, then my friend and cousin were martyred. He was 14 years old, and I cannot forget all of that.” .
The international competition, known as the "Golden World Race", will start in northern France on Sunday, the first of next July, and 18 sailors from 13 countries around the world will participate in it, all of them men, except for one woman, Susie Goodall from Britain.
Participants will attempt to travel thirty thousand miles around the world, provided they never return to land, and do not seek any outside help from their boat.
50 years ago, nine adventurers tried this experiment, and only one succeeded in walking around the world, and Nabil met him, Mr. Robin Johnston.
But Nabil says, "I will be alone in a boat with 30,000 miles of ocean in front of me, but I do not feel afraid."
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