Why we race across the atlantic? A psychological analysis

image: 

A motivational issue

Solo offshore races are classified as extreme sports by sports psychologists. This may seem a rather harsh judgement, especially after breathing the friendly and reassuring atmosphere of solo sailor gatherings who have crossed an ocean before, it may just seem a rushed and overly concerned judgement by those unfamiliar with offshore sailing.
However, it would be a mistake to treat the matter superficially. What qualifies a sport as extreme? The decisive element is not the sport itself, but its risk content.

Risk is sometimes defined in psychology as the attempt to achieve a goal which is not achievable with a high level of confidence; in particular, an action is defined as risky if its unfavourable outcome implies a loss.
The uncertainties associated with achieving the positive outcome (ranging from personal satisfaction to victory and fame), the peril to personal safety or, in more general terms the possibility that at the end of it you may find yourself with less than you started with, defines the activity as risky, and hence decisively attractive (to some).
So, what are the traits that distinguish the extreme sportsmen and women from those that practice more common activities such as swimming and tennis?
Many are the possible explanations; among the most significant is a common trait to their personality, often defined as sensation seeking measurable by a questionnaire that measure individuals against a sensation seeking scale with items like preference for some sensorial sensation experiences over others (hot, cold, noise, taste, colours…), comfort zone versus novelty factor, routine versus adventure.

The sensation seeking scale is then broken down if further categories.
1. Thrill and adventure seeking (mesures the desire to engage in sports or activities involving some physical danger or risk),
2. Experience seeking (measures the desire to seek new experiences through the mind and senses for example, e.g. through music, art, food, drugs, etc),
3. Disinhibition (measures hedonistic pleasure seeking through various activities such as sex or gambling),
4. Boredom susceptibility (measures aversion to routine activities, boring people and the irritation felt in a monotonous environment).

Those that practice extreme sports usually score high in the overall test and in the first category in particular.

A further explanation can be found in probability studies and revolves around the subject of achievement. Potential peril and the need to overcome emergency situations highlights the importance individual’s capabilities. The evaluation of the threat that causes the thrill is strictly linked to the judgement that the thrill seeker makes of his/her own abilities. A high level of self confidence and positive attitude are necessary to put yourself at stake in such radical ways as to seem unreasonable to many.

If these elements sound reasonable we could translate the sensation seeker’s motivations in terms of I feel, hence I am!

Let’s not forget however that offshore sailing, like many sports that involve risks, involves an element of fascination with the challenge of the unknown, which satisfies the desire for adventure as well as an intimate liaison with nature and the sea in particular.

Among the natural elements, water acquires a special significance psychologically and subconsciously. With this in mind, the condition of isolation of offshore sailing can be seen as a condition that produces a pleasant feeling to those that are able to handle their own fears and ghosts, while it can turn into a nightmare for those that are easily dominated by these.

Subconscious emotional states could be brewing in the mind of the sailor that will only emerge in response to the external stimulus, sometimes unexpectedly even in the face of insignificant events, especially when sleep deprived and with altered attention levels. This condition can lead to severe stress and eventually to panic, hence it’s important to be able to recognise the early signs.

Only an adequate physical preparation and psychological training (which can be acquired through progressive experience gained among more experienced sailors) can enable the sailor to handle effectively a solo race, calibrating and weighing the use of energies, alternating sleep and wake in relation to the conditions but most of all allowing for peaceful rest even in conditions when it becomes impossible to keep everything under control.

About the author:
Mauro Nannini graduated in medicine in 1973 and practiced as a neurologist and neurosurgeon until 1975 when he specialised in psychiatry. He headed the Psychiatry department of the Molinette hospital in Torino (Italy) from 1988 to 1992. From 1993 he held the post of Chief Psychiatrist for various NHS units until he was appointed as Director until retirement in 2007. He also practiced as a psychotherapist and forensic psychiatrist for the best part of his career.

If you enjoy this website why not make a donation to The Institute of Cancer Research. For more information visit our Charities page.