Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

Abby Sunderland journey aborted

by Nancy Knudsen on 31 Jan 2010
Abby on Wild Eyes is heading for land Liz Gizara http://www.gizaraarts.com
'But don't start worrying - I am still north of the equator so I won't have to give up the non-stop attempt.'

These were the brave words of 16-year-old would-be solo circumnavigator Abby Sunderland as she heads for Cabo san Lucas on the Mexican coastline, just a week after she departed.


The rapid preparation of Abby's boat is perhaps the cause of her unpremeditated stop. The power generation on her yacht - the solar panels and wind generators cannot keep up with her energy needs, and she also has a problem with her wind speed indicator.

As a result, 'the team' will be meeting her in Cabo san Lucas to remedy the problems. They will try to repair the windspeed indicators, put more fuel (to run the alternators for power generation) and add some more battery power.

All long range cruising sailors will be sympathetic to these types of problems. It's often not the sailing that causes the most headaches. Getting the balance right between having the best electronic gizmo's and having enough power generation for those needs is a continually tricky question.

In the meantime, her friendly rival Australian Jessica Watson is crossing the southern Atlantic heading for the soutehrn tip of Africa and since her 70 knot storm which damaged her boat, she has had an uneventful, if lonely, time repairing the damage.
Allen Dynamic 40 FooterDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMBarton Marine Pipe Glands

Related Articles

Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 2
Philip Köster triumphs again in Pozo Izquierdo The 37th edition of the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup delivered a thrilling second day this Sunday, once again marked by strong winds and the talent of the world's best windsurfers.
Posted on 6 Jul
A perfect start to the 5th annual AEGEAN 600
Cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind At the very southern end of the Greek mainland at Cape Sounion in Attica, today's start to the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600 was perfect: cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind.
Posted on 6 Jul
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 4
One race, one storm, and one big lay day vibe With qualification wrapped and the fleet now split into six groups—Gold, Silver, Bronze, Emerald, Purple, and White—Day 4 of the 29er Europeans kicked off with early optimism and an earlier-than-usual launch in pursuit of the morning breeze.
Posted on 6 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 1
Full foiling conditions launch the World Championship with four high-intensity races for both fleets The iQFOiL World Championship kicked off today in Aarhus with dynamic and demanding conditions that truly tested the world's top foiling windsurfers. The wind was anything but steady, shifting in both direction and intensity throughout the day.
Posted on 6 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais overall
American Magic Quantum Racing win Rolex TP52 Worlds after breezy week in Cascais. Doug DeVos' American Magic Quantum Racing crew were crowned 2025 Rolex TP52 World Champions today in Cascais, Portugal.
Posted on 6 Jul
Red Bull Sailing Academy Opens
A new hub for current and future superstars to reach the top of their sport Marina Monfalcone, North Italy, made waves yesterday, as sports superstars gathered to open the Red Bull Sailing Academy, marking the beginning of a new era in the sport.
Posted on 6 Jul
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 1
Philip Köster edges out Marcilio Browne in one of the closest finals ever Philip Köster edges out Marcilio Browne in one of the closest finals ever as Pozo delivers 50 knot winds and waves.
Posted on 6 Jul
America's Cup: French give the Brits the "Hurry-up
Frustration builds between Cup factions over lack of progress with Protocol. Last weekend's missive from the French America's Cup challenge team is further evidence over the building frustration with progress towards the 2027 America's Cup in Naples.
Posted on 6 Jul
The oldest video footage of Moth sailing
A look back into our video archive, to when the name of this class first settled down We delve into our video archive to find the oldest possible videos that show Moth racing. Are these International Moths, British Moths... or was the name still Olive, Inverloch 11ft, National Moth or Brent One-Design?!
Posted on 6 Jul
GKSS Match Cup & Nordea Women's Trophy overall
It is the first time the Match Cup Sweden title has been won by a Danish Skipper Denmark's Jeppe Borch/ Team Borch Match Race, and France's Pauline Courtois/ Match in Pink by Normandy crowned the new champions of Marstrand in a day of fierce weather for the final of 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy in Marstrand.
Posted on 6 Jul