2nd June start - Solo Sailor’s 2nd Aussie Record Attempt

by Event media on 2 Jun 2006 Solo sailor Margaret Williams detests the thought of 'unfinished business' so on 2nd June, she's just set out to tackle one of the world’s last standing sailing records - again.

The Mooloolaba general practitioner has spent the past six months readying her boat and steeling her nerves for her second attempt at becoming the first woman to circumnavigate Australia solo, non-stop and unassisted.

Margaret was forced to abandon her first crack at the record last November when, after having completed two-thirds of the 7000 nautical mile (13,000 kilometre) journey, her rudder broke during one of several capsizes in the
Southern Ocean.

Weather permitting, she plans to set off from the Freemantle Sailing Club this Friday (2 June). Margaret is pursuing her long-held dream not in a multi-million dollar super yacht but, rather, in her ‘home’ – a 12-metre sloop aptly named ‘Against All Odds’.

Both of her record attempts have been almost totally self-funded though she’s received considerable support from various sailing manufacturers. Margaret philosophically views the first trip as a 'practice run' and says she is both excited and apprehensive about setting off again.

'It’s been like waiting for an exam: the stress will go once I get on with it,' she said. 'I’m looking forward to just going sailing. Everyday will be a new adventure.

'I couldn’t be more prepared. I’m mentally tougher now, I have a lot more experience under my belt and know exactly what to expect.

'My main concern is the Southern Ocean stretch down to Tasmania because it really did push me to the limits last time and the area is notorious for having the biggest average wave height in the world.'

Margaret was also 'pushed to the limits' by a variety of other issues during
her first circumnavigation attempt, namely: sleep deprivation, terrifying encounters with illegal fishermen across the top of the continent, several near misses with tankers, and an onboard fire.

Not surprisingly, her high sea adventures attracted considerable attention from all over the international sailing fraternity/media with news of her record attempt even making it into a Hungarian yachting magazine.

'I also had many people writing to me saying that my experience had been a point of inspiration for them when they were going through tough times,' she
said.

For all the latest on Margaret’s record-breaking journey and to track her up-to-date position, visit www.solosailoz.com.au.