Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Guo Chuan becomes first Chinese solo non-stop circumnavigator

by Xinhua on 6 Apr 2013
Guo Chuan - first Chinese solo non-stop circumnavigator - arrives home in Qingdao Xinhua - China Daily

China's Guo Chuan is celebrating with his world record in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, April 5, 2013.

Guo sailed back home on Friday morning to become the first Chinese to successfully circumnavigate the globe singlehanded. Aboard his Class40 yacht, 48-year-old Guo travelled about 21,600 nautical miles in 138 days before he returned to his hometown of Qingdao, where he set off on November 18 last year.

Guo Chuan on Friday became the first sailor from China to complete a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe. Aboard a 40-foot (12.2 meters) monohull, the 48-year old returned to the northeastern port city of Qingdao, his home town, after a gruelling 138-day, 21,600-nautical-mile voyage.

Guo jumped into the sea for celebration before his yacht pulled over, and swam towards the dock to meet his wife and sons, who joined hundreds of local citizens and sports officials at a welcome ceremony. 'I am so happy that I can again see so many people, so many people who care about me,' said Guo, who knelt down as soon as he stepped on land with tears streaming down his cheeks.

'I can't even believe I made it. If this is real, I am the happiest man in the world. I don't have to eat those awful dehydrofrozen food any more, and I can sleep as long as I want while not worrying about winds and fishing nets. I don't have to wash my hair with seawater either. And instead I can enjoy a hot shower,' he added.

As Thursday was Ching Ming Festival (Grave-Sweeping Day), a traditional festival when Chinese mourn their deceased family members, Guo paid homage to his late father after his Odyssey-like adventure. 'I hope he can share the moment with me. He passed away two years ago when I was training in France. I wanted to rush home to see him the last time but I did not make it. I wish he could see me today. I think he would understand in the other world and feel happy about me,' said a sobbing Guo.



Guo had expected to finish the circumnavigation within 125 days but was forced to prolong his journey following a string of hard times on board, ranging from equipment failures, a fishing net barrage off the Chinese coast, a fast-moving tropical storm and falling into an area of no wind a few days after entering the southern hemisphere.

On New Year's Day, Guo climbed up the six-story-high mast to repair the sail. 'I think I should have done more sail-testing before setting off. This is a lesson,' Guo said. 'Another lesson I should learn is to bring more delicious food, because I don't want to be in semi-starvation any more during my next sailing adventure.'

Guo, whose childhood dream was becoming a scientist, was also philosophical in thanking the wind. 'I want to thank the wind for being my enemy as well as my friend. It is the wind that keeps me company all the time. It challenges me, but also brings me home,' he said.

After departing from Qingdao, Guo sailed south and east across the Pacific Ocean to Cape Horn in Chile, sailed into the Atlantic Ocean, then went into the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa before passing through the Sunda Strait in Indonesia to return to Qingdao.

Guo is the first and only professional offshore sailor in China. He is also the first Chinese to take part in the Clipper Round the World in 2006 and the Volvo Ocean Race as the media crew member on Green Dragon from 2008 to 2009. In 2011 he became the first Chinese to participate in the Mini Transat sailing event.















North Sails Loft 57 PodcastMaritimo M50Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to Exhibit

Related Articles

Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control.
Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Queensland Yachting Survey 2025 Feedback
The results are in, gathering valuable insights directly from the sailing community Following this year's Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, a group of passionate and experienced individuals from the sailing community gathered to discuss the current state of yachting in Queensland.
Posted today at 5:18 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing.
Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water.
Posted on 10 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects!
Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup.
Posted on 10 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 3
Big breeze in the morning, calm in the afternoon The third day of racing at the 2025 Moth World Championship kicked off early, with the first warning signal for the Blue fleet scheduled for 8:30 AM. Due to strong northerly winds, however, the fleet's departure was postponed to 9:00.
Posted on 10 Jul