Lisa Blair starts Solo Circumnavigation of Antarctica

by Tracey Whittaker on 14 Jan 2017 Over 3,500 people have climbed Mount Everest, over 500 have rowed across the various oceans and 12 people have landed on the moon. Only two men have sailed solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica. Sydney-based Lisa Blair, 32, intends to become the first woman, the fastest and the third person in history to conquer such a challenge. This Sunday 15 January 2017, Lisa will commence her epic journey with a departure from Albany Waterfront Marina in Albany Western Australia on board her yacht Climate Action Now.

The circumnavigation is expected to take Lisa three months and does not permit land stops, personal contact with another person, or assistance of any kind. Her journey follows a strict route. Lisa will be racing on the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and will be completing a time trial world record. She will be raising awareness of the message 'climate action now' and sailing her boat 100% eco powered.

This is the latest in a string of adventures for Lisa who most notably completed a global circumnavigation in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2011/12 at just 27 years of age. She has raced in the Sydney to Hobart twice, competing in 2012 and 2015 and completed the Solo Trans Tasman Yacht Race in 2014.

Lisa has an impressive 55,000 nautical miles of accumulated ocean sailing to her credit. On her recent journey from d'Albora Marina @ The Spit in Sydney to the race start in Albany, Lisa endured 60 knot winds and 27ft swells - something she says is likely to be repeated on her record breaking voyage.

'My Antarctic circumnavigation is going to expose me to some quite unique sailing experiences and difficult conditions including air temperatures of three degrees Celsius and wind chill factors around minus 20 degrees Celsius.

When you also consider oceans with 100ft swell and 80 knot winds - and the real possibility of icebergs and growlers along the route, this is certainly going to be an incredible adventure' said Lisa.

Supporters will be able to track Lisa's record breaking attempt via her website and her Facebook page.