Solo Circumnavigation of Antarctica
Day 71 at Sea: Fedor Konuykhov ticked off another major mile-stone overnight, passing the Cape of Good Hope during his solo circumnavigation of Antarctica. 'Iceberg ally', as the South Atlantic Ocean has been called this season, is also behind him, but the 56 year old Russian adventurer, trailblazing an inaugural record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack from Albany, Western Australia and back aboard his 85ft yacht Trading Network Alye Parusa, is currently enduring a freezing blast from the South.
Fedor reports: "I am about to enter the Indian ocean (20°E) but sailing in a powerful southerly storm with gusts up to 45 knots, heavy snow and 10 meter swells. These southern winds bring very cold air. It's freezing!
I sleep for one hour after every four hours watch. My sleep times average a cumulative 4-5 hours every 24. I try to sleep more during the day when it is a little warmer and I can relax a bit. The nights are difficult. With sudden gusts it's easier to bring the boat under control when I am fully awake and wearing my storm gear rather than jumping out of the sleeping bag and trying to figure out what has happened. From sunset to sun rise I'm an 'owl' not leaving the navigation station, and continually monitoring the area around the boat for icebergs. ?
My morning routine starts with a boat inspection. I check deck gear, winches, blocks, standing rigging, running rigging, rudder tillers, and then I go below and check autopilots, batteries, ballast valves and inlets, engine and generator inlets, water pumps, steering cables, and more. It's very hard to conduct repairs here; my task is to spot a problem before it becomes a catastrophe. I rely on my boat 100% since it is my only protection against the brutal conditions outside. ?I man the helm, switch off the autopilots, and start the generator to charge the batteries. If the wind is above 30 knots the wind-driven generators allow me to rest the diesel generators for three days. I have plenty of fuel. Both wind generators are working fine and give me a 'sustainable source of energy'. ?
After a couple hours on deck, , it's time to cook something hot, weather permitting. Normally I have oats, porridge, or rice with raisins or spaghetti. I have some fish and meat tins but they are tasteless. I provisioned the boat in Falmouth, Cape Town and Albany but regardless of the country of origin, the food tastes the same. With globalised brands dominating the world you don't get local flavour. This is boring and the world is losing it's individuality. In 100 years we may all become one big country.
Down here in the Southern Ocean, every albatross is different, every wave is different, and every sunrise unrepeatable. We must keep our uniqueness. I like the quote from Australian solo circumnavigator Jon Sanders: "Why live an ordinary life -- be original". It's a great philosophy. It's not necessary to sail around the world but be original in what you are doing, in art, music, science, and in business.
I am approaching the boundary where the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean meet. It's good to have the Antarctica Cup Racetrack gateway points to keep me busy with Gate 14 just ahead.
Regards, Fedor".
Dateline 01:06:00 UTC 7 April 2008
Position: 45°49.32'S 19°20.64'E
Course: 82° Speed: 7.4knots. Distance travelled since start: 11,470.1 nm
Submitted By YachtPals on 07 Apr
Antarctica Cup, Cape of Good Hope, Fedor Konyukhov, single-handed, solo sailing, single-handed sailing, sailing, sailboats, antarctica, boats, boat
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A new world sailing record for Fedor Konyukhov
Day 72: Fedor Konyukhov, the Russian adventurer trailblazing an inaugural sailing record around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, chalked up another milestone today. After passing through Gate 14 within the circular 3-lane racetrack around Antarctica, the 56 year old became the first solo yachtsman to to sail non-stop from Cape Horn (GATE 8, 67E) across the South Atlantic Ocean to the junction of the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean (GATE 14 20E) keeping below latitude 45° South.
Other yachtsmen have sailed across the South Atlantic before, most notably, Australian circumnavigator Jon Sanders, who completed the first a double circumnavigation aboard his S&S 34 monohull Perie Banou back in 1981/2. The West Australian, who has a gate within the Racetrack named after him and saw Konyukhov off on his record mission from Albany on 26 January, also passed south of the three great capes - Horn, Good Hope and Leeuwin - before continuing on around Cape Horn a second time and turning north to revitual his yacht in Plymouth UK before returning south around Good Hope and back to Fremantle. The difference is that Sanders sailed northwards after Cape Horn and rounded the Falkland Islands, and crossed much of the South Atlantic Ocean north of the Roaring Forty latitudes.
Konuykhov however, has remained south of the 45° South latitude throughout, running a gauntlet through 'iceberg alley' as the South Atlantic has been termed this year for the record number of icebergs that have been spotted floating up from the Antarctica Peninsular .
For the record, the distance sailed by Konuykhov and his 85ft yacht Trading Nework Ale Parusya between Cape Horn and Good Hope is 3,750 nautical miles in an elapsed time 25 days, 15 Hours, 42 Minutes.
Congratulations!
Better you than me, mate! Looks cold and treacherous - not my style.
Damned well done!
Cheers,
Mike A.
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