And it really made me prioritize, which is something I learned. No one ever suggested it, but I wish I had because I definitely had some severe post-traumatic stress syndrome. In interviews, Tami Oldham Ashcraft has said that the parallels between the film and what happened are incredibly accurate. It underscored how lucky I really was to survive., Dad who got trapped inside indoor adventure centre cave dies from his injuries, Brit MasterChef Australia host dies aged 46 as Gordon Ramsay leads tributes, First look at Britain's biggest EVER stage for King Charles' coronation concert, Two campmates are faking it in Im A Celeb, hints Shaun Ryder after eviction, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Her story inspired the 2018 film Adrift. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. It took five years for Tami to fully recover from the head injury, which left her struggling to read and suffering short-term memory loss. Her real-life ordeal was depicted in the 2018 film, Adrift . Then, check out these five amazing survival stories. == 1983 shipwreck == In 1983, Ashcraft's then-fianc, 34-year-old British sailor Richard Sharp, was hired to ferry the 13-metre yacht Hazaa from Tahiti to San Diego. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Join Facebook to connect with Tami Oldham and others you may know. But Tami Oldham Ashcraft didnt have time to grieve over her presumed-dead fianc. But everything changed when they were hired to transport a 44-foot yacht called Hazana from Tahiti to San Diego. The film has her coming to and finding Richard badly injured, leaving her the only one able to operate and repair the yacht, which she does under Richard's guidance. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. I'm fairly headstrong, so I'm always, 'Oh, I can get through this on my own.' Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. As they smashed down on the couples 44ft boat, Tami, 23, looked into the electric blue eyes of her handsome British lover Richard Sharp and saw fear. A. They had been hired by the boat's new owner to deliver it to San Diego, California. YouTubeTami Oldham Ashcraft after her trip. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Q. Truth is my jam, Woodley said. I think it's a marvelous way they did the creativity and work to bring the story to life. I was never going to fall in love again. When they did, 40-foot waves and 140-mile-per-hour winds descended on the tiny vessel. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. In September 1983, 23-year-old Tami Oldham Ashcraft's future seemed as idyllic as the South Pacific islands she and her fiance, Richard Sharp, had been cruising "I have waited 34 years to see my story made into a feature film," Tami told CountryLiving.com following the film's release. . oJBA &zEh#wcOp 4jv4{@,EC!5I*o+5+pEF=.\rf-|#]y/y6K^.]_G? . The book helped her heal from the loss of her first love. Heres why. {:37d7Jw.5v888]Gn{J3SRazuv2fDi*I,Ca^y+/im 'T2JBlEb" But no Richard. Eventually, a Japanese research ship noticed Hazana floating just outside the harbor and pulled her into Hilo. The sails were now useless; she fashioned a new one with a storm jib and spinnaker pole. WebSurvivor/Author Tami Oldham Ashcraft talks logic versus emotion, discussing her thoughts with the lead actress and her fears and stamina to be able to survive in regards to the new film based on her harrowing ordeal crossing The Pacific in 1983 starring Shailene Woodley: "Adrift". WebTami Oldham is on Facebook. From this the movie Adrift was made, and I love the way my story is told and woven like a tapestry. He met Californian Tami while they were both working in South Africa and they bonded over their shared passion for sailing. Graduated in my Junior year. She was then thrown against the side, knocking her unconscious. happy lovers Tami and Richard, Fear. As they were already in the path of the storm, the couple attempted to weather it, donning raincoats and boarding up the yacht. There were times I didn't even want to live anymore because I didn't know how I was going to go on. Ashcraft wrote a memoir about her experience at sea shortly after the incident, but shes been waiting for it to come together on film for 34 years. There were times I didnt even want to live anymore because I didnt know how I was going to go on. There were times I didnt even want to live any more because I didnt know how I was going to go on.. A. "His face is so imprinted on my brain," Tami said to the San Diego newspaper. Qualification: Graduated from University of the Pacific Ocean (1979-1989), School: Point Loma High School, San Diego, CA San Diego, California, College: The University of the Pacific Ocean, Her Biopic Film Adrift (2018) Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. At times she thought madness had set in, when she hallucinated land that was not there. It was a tribute to him.". The masts were broken off and the waterlogged sails floated uselessly in the water. Less than "No one ever suggested it, but I wish I had [gotten counseling] because I definitely had some severe post-traumatic stress syndrome," Tami explained to the Chicago newspaper. About three weeks in, the hurricane hit. Waking up badly injured after being knocked unconscious by the storm, Oldham-Ashcraft navigated over 1,500 miles alone with just a sextant and watch, surviving on canned food and peanut butter until she reached the safety of Hilo, HI. So any deviations from the sailor's lived experience are intentional, and done with her approval. Q. Time: September-November 1983.On September 22, 1983, Tami Oldham and fianc Richard Sharp set sail from Tahiti to San Diego on the Hazana, a 44 ft Trintella sailing yacht. AK^W/^#N Tami Oldham Ashcraft Career. 35 years later, incredible story of survival at sea to hit the Amazingly, she never stopped sailing. It kept me going.. How did you find the courage to sail again? By the time she wrote her book, Tami had settled in San Juan Island, Washington, married, and had two daughters. Though she still carries the memory of her experience and her fianc with her every day, shes gotten married, has two children, and is the picture of happiness. Filming on the movie began just three months after the loss of her daughter but brave Tami still decided to visit the set. What advice would you give to other women facing obstacles in their lives? When she regained consciousness a day later, the storm was over. Today, Ashcraft lives on San Juan Island off the coast of Washington, where she still sails regularly. Q. Coming to theaters June 1, the movie Adrift is based on a terrifying real-life story of survival. Sam Claflin stars as Richard. It was filmed mainly on the open water off Fiji and stars Shailene Woodley of The Fault In Our Stars as Tami and Hunger Games actor Sam Claflin, 32, as Richard. It helped me to focus, to keep myself on track.". Why Trust Us? . At another time, perhaps they could have. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Net Worth: USD $150,000 Approx. Just get through one thing at a time and remain focused and determined and keep going. I think, personally, it was my inner spirit. Her fianc was gone and her boat was badly damaged, the result of an unexpected category-four hurricane. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The Terrifying Thugs Of India That Would Put Any Of Today's Gangs To Shame, This Was Pavel Kashin's Final Jump And It Killed Him, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. I'm fairly headstrong, so I'm always, `Oh, I can get through this on my own.' Enter your email and password to access comments. Already have a commenting profile? She settled in Washington state and in 1994 married property developer Ed Ashcraft. Less than 2 weeks later, they were trapped in Hurricane Raymonds path-pounding rain, 140 knot winds, and skyscraper-sized waves. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Tami Oldham lost fiance Richard Sharp after a killer wave hit their yacht, The boat is left at the mercy of giant waves in new film Adrift, Trailer for Adrift, the new movie starring Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin, Bond. . Public-school educated Richard, from Cornwall, had been set to follow his officer father into the Royal Navy, but was thrown out of the academy for insubordination. Q. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. You will receive an email to complete the registration. This content is imported from youTube. Then a British couple hired them to sail their bigger yacht, the Hazana to San Diego Tamis home town. It was 1983, and, just as the trailer depicts, Tami and Richard were engaged and in loveboth with each other and with the water, which they had called home for six months of sailing in their boat, the Mayaluga. "I really wish I had taken the time to do that. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. The safety harness was dangling in the water, but Ashcrafts fianc was nowhere to be found. She said of the moment she first saw Shailene and the recreated wrecked boat: It just hit my heart. My main message is that knowledge is key for any kind of extreme sports that women get involved in. I'm passionate about it. Sharp insisted that Ashcraft board herself up below deck, while he secured himself in the safety harness. I just really had a hard time. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The couple, both avid sailors, had decided to take a break from pleasure sailing in Sharp's 36-foot sailboat, Mayaluga, to take a job delivering a 44-foot yacht, Hazana, from Tahiti to San Diego. More than a decade later, in 1998, Tami self-published her memoir, which Hyperion Press republished in 2002 and Dey Street Books re-released under the movie's title in 2018. But the battle wasn't over for Tami. .css-1b2q3vo{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;background-color:#CDE5F0;font-family:Gotham,Georgia,Times,Sans-serif;font-size:0.70028rem;line-height:1;font-weight:bold;padding:0.9375rem 1.25rem 0.9rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-1b2q3vo:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:#0A5C80;background-color:#CDE5F0;-webkit-filter:contrast(0.9);filter:contrast(0.9);}.css-1b2q3vo:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}BUY TICKETS See when Adrift is playing near you. Actress Shailene had to survive on 350 calories a day in order to lose enough weight to portray Tami in her emaciated state a diet she calls f***ing miserable. It said: Dont give up, love.. Despite being experienced sailors, they hit a (`|%l[,Yf`/XhD0UZI#9^lMG=3pdFlT"lrda9x Y8|11P + -%]1Fl}qC^9"4nGf'1(0&$k]N [rm!] d! A. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. In October of 1983, a friend approached the couple and asked if they would deliver a 44-foot yacht, Hazana, from Tahiti to San Diego. Create one. It was later translated into eight languages, published in fifteen countries and has now been made into a movie, appropriately titled Adrift. Why did you decide to write this book and why did you wait so long after your ordeal to start writing it? *(I;:*[W"Dd Tami then investigated further and realised the yacht wasnt letting in any more water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. FOR loved-up young adventurer Tami Oldham, sailing a yacht across the Pacific with her sexy fiance was meant to be 4,000 miles of sun-kissed bliss. I really wish I had taken the time to do that. Relying on her sextant, canned fruit salad and sardines, and the hope that shed picked currents that would drift her toward Hawaii, Ashcraft spent 41 days pushing herself to survive. Join Facebook to connect with Tammy Oldham and others you may know. Tami is 62 years old as of 2022, she was was born on Feb 20, 1960, in San Diego, California, United States. I kind of parallel [the hurricane] to being in a car accident. Let's start with the film's official synopsis: It sounds like an earnest and romantic story, but accurate? Tami Lee Oldham Ashcraft (ne Oldham) is an American sailor and author who, in 1983, survived 41 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean. Did anyone ever suggest that you receive counseling to deal with your trauma? But how accurate is Adrift compared to the true story that inspired it? Taysha Murtaugh was the Lifestyle Editor at CountryLiving.com. Though the trip was over 4,000 miles, and longer than they had ever gone at one time, the couple felt confident in their ability to do it. "It saved my life," Tami told the San Diego Union Tribune of the navigational device, a diamond-encrusted replica of which she now wears around her neck. In September 1983, 23-year-old American sailor Tami Oldham Ashcraft set to sea for a 31-day crossing from Tahiti to San Diego, California. She was with her British fianc Richard Sharp, and delivering luxury yacht, Hazana . 20 days into the journey, they were caught in a Category 4 hurricane, bringing with it 15m waves and 150mph winds. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Here's an excerpt of Oldham Ashcraft's book, from a New Zealand Herald review: Yup in real life, Oldham-Ashcraft's boyfriend Richard Sharp was swept overboard during the storm, never to be seen again, while the film has him alive and acting as the main motivation for Oldham-Ashcraft to find her way back to civilization. They left Tahiti on September 22, sailing without incident until October 12. Now I choose when to think about it, instead of it being always there. When the couple encounters 1983's formidable Hurricane Raymond, the force of the storm damages the ship and severely injures Richard. I just put it on the back burner. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. But, actually, while I was in the survival mode, the grief was fairly low. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. A. Known For: Celebrity. WebWent to Point Loma High School, San Diego, CA. Moments later American Tami heard Richard, 34, cry out: Oh my God. pukmsH,? ~ "nYExj#zbmmqdY/1xM'}@M|yHp+&=b`IjOX7e74]?( ]y~D )8JxXQukmWTYJienIU".d#i(;+sk B`Pv/iTi8=|HfCTN# 6d{B Q{&F.Z nP+=[L5. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Red Sky in Mourning is the story of Tami Oldham Ashcraft's 41-day journey to safety, which she survived through fortitude and sheer strength of character. But that survival instinct [while at sea] just kicked in. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. Tami Oldham reveals the harrowing experience of when her dream adventure turned into a real life nightmare. 100 minutes. "Definitely the hardest part was dealing with Richard being gone," Tami told the Tribune. In September 1983, 23-year-old Ashcraft and her fianc, Sharp, took a job sailing the yacht Hazana to San Diego, a journey of more than 4,000 miles. But finally she approached Hawaiis Hilo harbour and soon she was on land, safe and overwhelmed with the horror of her ordeal. Hazana after it was towed into the harbor at Hilo. How did this experience change your life? Three weeks before the deadly storm, Ashcraft and her fianc Richard Sharp set out on what should have been a routine trip. For more than a month and 1,500 miles, Tami sailed alone, guided by what she calls her "inner spirit." Its a woman learning how to work with nature to survive.. She self-published her book in 1998 after several publishers had rejected it. For the next 41 days, Tami Oldham Ashcraft would be alone, adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, fighting to survive. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. A. . There wasn't enough spray and the wall of water was a little hokey, but I really thought the scene where the boat capsized was very realistic. How old is Tami Oldham Ashcraft? But soon, the seemingly idyllic love story takes a grim turn. Spoilers for the movie to follow. The first three weeks of the voyage were pure happiness and freedom. Next, read about the worst natural disasters of the 21st century. In the preview for the film, Richard appears to be living (although it's unclear if he is really there or simply a vision), but sadly the real Richard died; he is believed to have been thrown from Hazana when it capsized. When she finally woke up with a head injury more than 24 hours later, the storm had passed, but Tami was left with a broken shipnot to mention a broken heart. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. P10yE%SWz"wU}=*0llo9)KT~j'r[RaMKZ%n=UM7UY ["E'!sy_$T2 :ks+$Lar6%qMU (),@Rs\}b>kxM:I vc@N@'5 \2sDOc9&nMYGN) &o \pHv0Vi_4bm\dT@jK'dC#L#Lppz@v ` F]YK`M6R8ebJ!jd2 1z$\&TL#) GITc |1B>=.xzuuCez8Q^ZX]#/EUtJxmQ2Jr"K~;zd 6&d_Vy>eVM%i#%`HodwXVDveeD?`lh)rz6}aYb<2l[;iGNW%CI-{0~q5}*5;/I^ bN*+ 5hyF^@SOP!dK*[*i #,46EN]}4Ak__"1tqu She never saw him again. The new movie starring Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin is based on the book Red Sky in Mourningbut the real story is much more heartbreaking. $ >?!Ix]4f . As she closed the door, she heard Sharp shout oh my god! before the boat capsized. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Ashcraft believes that the force of the wind was just too strong and that he must have been thrown into the sea and pulled beneath the massive swells. Required fields are marked *. YouTubeTami Oldham Ashcraft and Richard Sharp, just before setting out on their fateful trip. Profession: Author. Realising she did not have enough supplies to last her until the US mainland, she set course for the nearest land, Hawaii. Weak, hungry, and on the verge of a mental breakdown, the then 23-year-old sustained herself with only peanut butter and canned food, until she arrived safely in Hilo, Hawaii. She also found a sextant a navigational instrument first used by mariners 250 years ago which she had been trained to use. I was never going to fall in love again. Molly Ringwald Turned Down 'Pretty Woman' Due To An Early Script's Ick Factor, 10 Times Tom From 'Succession' Was Actually Mr. Darcy, Zendaya Explained An Awkward Part Of Her 'Dune' Romance With Timothe Chalamet, 11 Photos Of The 'Fatal Attraction' TV Cast Vs. Their 1987 Movie Counterparts, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Richard was gone. &I> H, B,Y@r*(u"LPWruqWbjF/6A`?'KQi2|1Drf=1vkYsxe.dU5ZA;:dO[A'Z0=zO}mYXbkB_3 G~Du"fU%!0]vC2b>7 @0X9H^qpH8 -{fZm`A L$F5iNMEdT\d$`E! Woodley plays the part of Tami, who was only 23 when the incident happened. storm strikes as Richard and Tami struggle to stay on board, Alone. After regaining consciousness Tami screamed her throat raw desperately calling his name. So traumatizing was the ordeal, it was six years before she could even read a book--and even longer before she could put her own memories down on paper. Grief-stricken, dazed and with her head cut open from hitting the boats side, Tami had no will to live. Debut: Her Biopic Film Adrift (2018) based on her true story of survival in Category-four Hurricane in 1983 . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I know in a blinding flash hes gone overboard.. Tami Oldham talks Adrift and her own story of love and survival 39,235 views Jan 21, 2019 282 Dislike Share Save Scott D. Menzel 3.35K subscribers Scott .css-2x3ibz{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Kepler,Helvetica,Arial,Serif;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:normal;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-2x3ibz:hover{color:link-hover;}}Singer Bonnie Raitt Reveals "Medical Situation", Why Luke Bryan Called Out Taylor Swift on TikTok, 24 Celebrities Reveal Their Favorite Books, Here's the Most Haunted Place in Every State, Book to Movie Adaptations Coming Out in 2023, The Best Independent Bookstore in Every State, Get to Know HGTV Stars Dave and Jenny Marrs, See Kelly Reilly's Post About Yellowstone Co-Star, Read Erin Napier's Post about 'Home Town'. But it definitely made me a lot more cautious.". I kind of parallel [the hurricane] to being in a car accident. When she awoke, she was surrounded by destruction. It became more than me fighting for my character as an actor, it was about fighting for the integrity of the whole project from start to finish,. Only the real-life version is even more heartbreaking. v=?LPsXR[iYx^a."5xbI\ OI9agla0! It wasn't as intense as when I got to shore and the survival was over, and I could see people together and everything kept reminding me of him. People want to convince me it was God, but I don't know. When she came to 27 hours later Richard was gone and she was all alone on the ocean, up to her waist in water on the wrecked yacht. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. How tall is Tami Oldham Ashcraft? Family & Relatives. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Shailene Woodley arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Adrift" at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on Wednesday. As it was she had to drastically ration her meagre supply of water, peanut butter, canned fruit, Spam and sardines. "It wasn't as intense as when I got to shore and the survival was over, and I could see people together and everything kept reminding me of him. It reminds me of how I got home. Please wait for the page to reload. It wasnt as intense as when I got to shore, the survival was over and I could see people together and everything kept reminding me of him. She wrote of that moment of coming to: The boats smashed to smithereens, the mast and sails are gone ripped clean away. It was my spirit. Q. It reminds me of how I got home, she said. "I just love it," she told the Chicago Tribune.