Leonid Teliga

Infobox_Person
name = Leonid Teliga
birth_date = 28 May 1917
birth_place = Wiaźma, Russia.
death_date = 21 May 1970
death_place = Warsaw, Poland

Leonid Teliga (28th May 1917- 21st May 1970) was a Polish sailor, writer, journalist, translator and the first Pole to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe on his yawl "Opty".

Life

Youth

Although he was born in Russia, his parents decided to settle back in Poland after it regained independence. He was raised in Grodzisk Mazowiecki. After failing to get into medical studies, he decided to attend military academy. In 1937, he finished a yachting course in Jastarnia.

During and after World War II

During the September Campaign Teliga fought in 44th Infantry Regiment, and was wounded at Tomaszów Mazowiecki. In 1940, he arrived in Azov, where he took a skipper course and became a fisherman. Eventually, he takes part in the evacuation of harbours on Crimea. In 1942, he joined the newlyformed Polish Army with which he got through to Great Britain. After taking a navigation course in Canada, he was fighting in No. 300 Squadron as a gunner.

He returned to Poland in 1947. He used every occasion to return to the sea- sometimes as a skipper or sailing instructor, later as a journalist. In the 50s and 60s, he published several short stories collections and novels based on his various voyages. In 1957, Teliga went to North Korea to participate in the works of UN Armistice Commision.

Circumnavigation of the Earth

The yacht "Opty" was designed by engineer Leon Tumiłowicz, based on his earlier construction, the "Tuńczyk" class, but modified so that it would better fit the task of long, solitary cruise. "Tuńczyk"'s precedessor, the "Konik Morski" type, was actually the first polish seagoing construction, designed back in 1936. The construction of "Opty" began in January 1966, and finished in October. Although he received some support from Polish Yachting Association and other sources, Teliga funded the construction mostly on his own. Even though masts and booms were wooden, the yacht was farily well equipped, as it had a pneumatic raft, a plastic boat for easier communication with the coast, and a wide set of sails for every kind of wind.

After having "Opty" transported to Casablanca, Teliga began his journey on 25th of January 1967, heading west. During the course of the cruise, he visited Canary Islands, Lesser Antilles, Panama Canal, Galápagos Islands, Marquesas Islands, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fiji and Dakar. In Panama Canal, he experienced an unexpected delay as it took eleven days to persuade the Canal's administration to let him pass. Most likely that was the reason for him to skip Australia and do the final section of the circumnavigation without any landings, as after failing to get australian visa he expected similar obstructions there. [cite book |title= Samotny rejs "Opty" |last= Teliga |first= Leonid |year= 1973 |publisher= Wydawnictwo Morskie |isbn= |pages=302-304]

During his journey, Teliga became fairly well-known, and acquired honorary membership of several yacht clubs. He experienced a hospitable welcome in nearly every port, and, incidentally, met compatriots in most of them.

By cruising non-stop from Fiji to Dakar for 165 days, the beat the world record previously held by Bernard Gilboy, who sailed single-handedly for 163 days in an attempt to cross the Pacific Ocean. However, when Teliga landed in Dakar on 9th of January 1969, Robin Knox-Johnston has already been at sea for 210 days.

On 5th of April 1969, he crossed his course from 1967, finishing the circumnaviagtion. It took him "2 years, 13 days, 21 hours and 15 minutes" [cite book |title= Samotny rejs "Opty" |last= Teliga |first= Leonid |year= 1973 |publisher= Wydawnictwo Morskie |isbn= |pages=411]

Due to rapidly developing cancer, Teliga was forced to stop in Casablanca. He was transported back to Poland by plane. Despite having an operation, he died in May 1970.

References