The Art of Slowing Down Time: 164 Days Alone on the Atlantic

Emma Ringqvist spent 164 days alone at sea on a solo Atlantic crossing in a small sailboat. What began as an adventure became a confrontation with stillness. Sailing from Europe toward South America and onward to the remote island of Tristan da Cunha, Emma crossed trade winds, endured gales, drifted through the doldrums, and eventually lost the use of her engine. Without mechanical backup, she was forced to rely entirely on wind, patience, and her own resilience. Alone on the open ocean for months, she encountered whales, storms, hunger, doubt, and profound silence. The journey became less about distance and more about time – what happens when urgency dissolves, and modern life falls away. Featuring poetry by Stephen Jenkinson, music by Gregory Hoskins, visual art by Daniel Beerstecher, and photography from Tristan da Cunha by Andy Isaacson, this documentary explores solo sailing, solitude, slow living, and the courage to step outside the rhythm of modern society. A film by Mattias Olsson for Campfire Stories. If you’d like to stay connected, join my newsletter – I’ll write to you when new films are released: https://campfire-stories.org/newsletter/ Support future independent documentaries:   / mattiasolsson   #SoloSailing #AtlanticCrossing #AloneAtSea #WomenSailors #SlowLiving