Adrian Flanagan's Solo Vertical Circle - Last Leg

by Louise Flanagan/Sail-World on 2 May 2008 British sailor Adrian Flanagan has just set sail on the last part of his voyage, attempting to become the first sailor to do a solo 'vertical' circumnavigation of the globe. It's a difficult stretch, - a 1,600 mile journey from Mehamn in northern Norway to The Royal Southern Yacht Club on England's south coast.

He has already sailed more than 30,000 miles. Departing the south coast of England on 28th October 2005, he has become only the 14th lone yachtsman to sail west around Cape Horn against wind and current and is the only single-handed yachtsman ever to have sailed Russia's Arctic coast.

Adrian writes from Norway: 'I arrived in Mehamn on Sunday evening. The mountainous sentiels protecting the town were covered with snow, the temperature close to freezing. I spotted Barrabas from the air and my heart lifted at the sight of her.
I spent the first night in the Nordic Safari lodge, then went aboard the following morning. Barrabas was as familiar as a well-loved armchair or a favourite coat. The first order of business was getting the engine started after her winter hibernation. I brought her alongside and put the sails on, collecting them from the loft of the Nordkyn Seafood company, Oddvar Jenssen’s business - he had been looking after the boat.

Preparing to depart is always a tense time for me. I bought a few provisions, checked all the onboard systems and took time to prepare myself for the homeward leg of the Alpha Global Expedition. It is the 1st of May - Louise’s (his ex-wife and website communicator) birthday and a national holiday here in Norway. It seems an auspicious date to leave.'

During the course of his voyage around the world on Barrabas, a French designed 40-foot Trireme constructed entirely of Stainless Steel, Adrian has been shadowed by pirates, suffered two capsizes at Cape Horn and dislocated both his wrists. At one time and in severe storm force conditions, he was swept from the deck of his boat without a lifeline but managed to scramble back on board, cheating death by the narrowest of margins.

The Alpha Global Expedition is managed shoreside by Adrian's ex-wife, Louise. 'It has been a daunting challenge. There have been highs and lows. Now we are all looking forward to welcoming Adrian home to the Royal Southern Yacht Club.'

Weather is likely to be a factor in the Norwegian Sea. 'I have MaxSea software on board which I use to download weather files and for navigation. The weather predictions are remarkably accurate. Without it, I am not sure the route I've followed would be possible,' Adrian said.

Adrian had to break the Alpha Global Expedition twice. Delays in gaining permissions from the Russian government to enter their territorial waters meant Barrabas had to spend the winter of 2006/7 in Nome, Alaska. She spent the 2007/8 winter season in Norway after reaching the treacherous Norwegian Sea too late after passing across the top of the world from Alaska to Europe.

'It has been long and hard, but the pursuit of dreams is not an easy business. I've wanted to do this since I was a teenager,' Adrian said.

Over the Top, the book of Adrian's remarkable journey is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on 9th October 2008 and is available for pre-order on Amazon

See Adrian's own website at: www.alphaglobalex.com