A major challenge to help fund brain cancer research

In 2018, after the death of his spouse due to brain cancer, Mr. Hould set out to take on one of the most difficult endurance challenges by registering for the Clipper Race Round the World 2019-2020, a major nautical competition aboard a sailboat. Without any particular knowledge of navigation, the Drummondvillois had to undergo intensive training at sea before beginning to circumnavigate the globe. With the crew of the Qingdao, he set off in London on September 1, 2019.

“I wanted to take up this challenge to pay tribute to my wife. It was important for me to find a reason for being, to put my energy where I had power. Adversity can strike anyone,” philosophizes the ex-teacher. “I realized that an unfortunate event can lead to happy events that would otherwise never have happened.”

The arrival of the pandemic in March 2020 interrupted the race in the Philippines until it resumed in March 2022. After a major break and an almost insurmountable delay, the Qindao crew finally won the prestigious Clipper Race Round the World Cup on July 30 in London. Bertrand Hould also won the honorary award from the city of Derry, in Northern Ireland. The “Spirit of a Derry Girls Award,” a name inspired by a popular television show, is an award given to a crew member designated by their peers in recognition of their contribution, team spirit, and approach to life.

“Sails are put to the test in an adventure like this and my job was to repair them. Working 30 hours without a break to get there, I did it several times! My enthusiasm and my efforts at the service of the team earned me this award which warmed my heart. As someone who knew nothing about navigation, who was afraid of being a piece of dead wood for the crew, I was surprised at the impact of my commitment and perseverance,” says the 72-year-old man.

It is also a message of perseverance that he wants to transmit during conferences in schools or others to tell his story. Writing a book is also part of his plans and the profits from all these activities will be donated to the Cœur en Tête fund to support Dr. Fortin's research.

The adventure of Mr. Hould in a few figures...

- 249 days at sea

- 1,677 hours of navigation at night

- 17 seas and oceans, totalling twice the distance around the globe

- 102 circumnavigators registered out of 700 participants, 41 completed the race

- His objective: to donate $1 for each kilometer sailed, or 87,237 km

The CHUS Foundation invites the population to encourage it in the pursuit of its objective by visiting the page of the Mr. Hould's fundraiser.

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