Jean-Luc van den Heede (70)
A lifelong sailor, Uku began sailing at the age of 3 aboard his father's yacht, then graduated through the junior ranks sailing Optimist, Cadet, OK, Laser and 420 dinghy classes
After leaving Tallinn Nautical School with a Master's ticket in 1984, he got back to competing in regattas at a serious level, then graduated to offshore sailing with his Hanse 430 yacht Temptation, completing a solo voyage around Iceland and back prior to sailing solo around the world with stops in 2011/12.
Randmaa's preferred yacht is a Rustler 36, which he hopes to purchase next Spring and have Rustler Yachts refit for the Golden Globe Race at their yard in Falmouth. "This is dream event â a round the world race for real gladiators." He says, adding. "For me, the best is to take part; the worst â not to finish. If I'm not going to win, then simply finishing will fulfill my dreams.â"