Offshore Solo Sailors
A boat sails by her self-steering system as the skipper tends her sails, while sailing in fine conditions off Key West.
The sport of single-handed sailing or offshore solo sailing is sailing with only one crewmember (i.e., only one person on board the vessel). The term is usually used with reference to ocean and long-distance sailing, and particularly competitive sailing.
Below is a list of Solo Circumnavigators.
http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloSailingCircumnavigation/SinglehandedCircumnavigators.htm
The 27,000 miles around the world has been challenged and circumnavigated by many young and old sailors from countries around the world. The world’s latest offshore sailor is
Laura Dekker set to become the youngest person to sail around the globe single-handed, Tony Paterson finds out why the Dutch authorities put their oar in to make sure she did her homework on board
Sailing The World Alone – 1994 to 1995 – documentary pt 1
Captain Joshua Slocum was a man of the sea. Born in Nova Scotia in 1844, Joshua left home for the deep water at age 16. He began as an ordinary seaman and worked his way up to captain. He married in 1871 and his wife accompanied him on his voyages – bearing four children aboard ship. The seven seas were his home as he transported goods to and from the California coast, China, Australia, the Spice Islands, South America and more. His fortunes rose and fell. His wife died (buried in Buenos Aires), he faced a mutiny in which he shot two men, overcame disease, married a second wife, gained and lost commands and finally ended up in Boston, Massachusetts in 1890. During the same period steam power supplanted the sail and Captain Slocum’s hard-earned skills were in less demand.
At age 16 Zac Sunderland set off into the Pacific Ocean on a quest, not only to see the world and have the adventure of a lifetime, but to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone. More people have gone into space than have attempted a solo circumnavigation. Thirteen months later he returned completing his attempt and setting two world records: the youngest ever to sail around the world and the first under 18.
Abby Sunderland turned sixteen in October 2009. To the outward observer, she is a seemingly cleancut, All-American girl…the second of seven children. But inside of Abby, a passion burns. Since becoming a teenager, she has had her sights set on making history as the youngest person, male or female, to circumnavigate the world. Not only does she plan to accomplish this feat alone and unassisted, she plans to do it without once taking refuge on land. Aboard an Open 40 racing sailboat, Abby will embark on her voyage in January 2010 from Marina del Rey, California. By June 2010, Abby plans to have made history.
Jessica Watson is setting out to become the youngest person to sail solo non-stop and unassisted around the World. Since Joshua Slocum first sailed singlehanded around the world in the late 1890’s, sailors of all nationalities and ages have been drawn to this ultimate challenge: The Everest of sailing.
Mike Perham, On the 27th of August I became the youngest person in the world to sail single-handed around the globe. This has been certified by Guinness World Records. Wow what an incredible feeling!
