February 9, 2008

National Geographic Webisodes: Bill Pinkney

Bill Pinkney & Paul Mixon

Mixon's good friend, Captain Bill Pinkney, 71, had his own sailing dreams. In 1985, remembering Call It Courage, Armstrong Sperry's classic adventure tale, Pinkney began planning a remarkable solo voyage around the world. It would be the ultimate inspirational legacy to leave his grandchildren.
 
In August 1990, at the age of 54, Pinkney left Boston on his 47-foot (14-meter) cutter, Commitment. Opting for the more challenging southern route, his journey took him to Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Uruguay, and Bermuda. After 22 months and 32,000 nautical miles, he sailed safely back to Boston's harbor. As the first African American to sail the world alone, Pinkney's voyage was followed by hundreds of schoolchildren via computer and on satellite radio and television.
 
After being introduced by a mutual friend years ago, Mixon and Pinkney planned how they could work together to attract African Americans to sailing. Mixon used his entrepreneurial skills to organize the effort, and Pinkney used his reputation as a master sailor and a positive role model to draw people to the trips.
 
Today Mixon, of San Francisco, and Pinkney, who lives in Connecticut, share their sailing dreams with others through the Black Boaters Summit, an annual summer event in the British Virgin Islands.

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February 8, 2008

Preserving America’s Sailing Legacy

Engaging Sailing’s Next Generation


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