'Non-stop' solo sailor limps towards West Australia, shrouds gone.

Glenn before departure SW

British Solo sailor Glenn Wakefield, attempting a 'wrong way' non-stop solo circumnavigation on his West Wind II from Victoria in Canada, is limping towards Fremantle in West Australia with compromised shrouds. Can he preserve his mast? Only time will tell. (See footnote below)

Glenn Wakefield current position - limping to Fremantle © SW

With typical irony, he observed today. 'I am going to make some tea and oats and hold my breath. So close and yet so far. West Wind II is a tough boat and I know she is giving it 100%.'

He was doing so well. Wakefield, a long time passionate sailor, left Victoria last September and has already made it half way around, past Cape Leeuwin ad over 1,000 miles out into the Indian Ocean, when he discovered his starboard shrouds had broken strands, just above the swages. He still has over 500 miles to go.

This is Glenn's second attempt at a solo circumnavigation. See Sail-World story. He is sailing a Comanche 42ft fibreglass sloop called West Wind II.

Sadly he did not have spares aboard that would have enabled him to repair or replace his shrouds.

You can learn more about Glenn or follow his blog at www.glennwakefieldaroundtheworld.com

Sail-World Cruising wishes him good winds, safe sailing and a speedy arrival.

Footnote:
Glenn arrived into Fremantle on the 15th January with a mast still standing. He has observed in his blog: 'Everyone at the Fremantle Sailing Club, the Customs and Agriculture people have all been very kind to me. I have been given clearance for three months in Australia with the ability to bring food on and off the boat for the length of my stay.'

Mmmm..the last is interesting. A clearance for three months WITHOUT the ability to bring food off and onto his boat would have been an interesting call by Australian authorities.