Indian solo sailor in the Falklands and past the halfway
by Des Ryan on 16 Jan 2010
Dilip Donde SW
Following in the inspirational footsteps of India's famous solo sailor http://www.sail-world.com/Cruising/international/Book-by-Indias-ocean-adventurer---Gulshan-Rai/54119!Gulshan_Rai, Commander Dilip Donde, with the sponsorship of the Indian Navy and the support of many thousands of sailing enthusiasts from India, has reached the Falklands after rounding Cape Horn.
His quest is to become the first solo sailor from India to complete a circumnavigation.
Yesterday he crossed the halfway mark, after completing a voyage of 14,000 nautical miles so far. Donde arrived at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands Friday, after rounding one of the most feared points in the world, and the Cape he himself most respected before his departure, Cape Horn.
During this leg of the journey, from Christchurch in New Zealand, he was sailing in the same waters as Australian teenager Jessica Watson, was frequently in radio contact as they both headed for the southern tip of South America, and passed the Horn 80 miles ahead of her in his much faster yacht.
“This was the third leg of his voyage and he covered about 5,000 nautical miles in it. With arrival at Falkland Islands, Donde has crossed the halfway mark,” a senior Indian Navy official said yesterday.
Donde is likely to start the next leg of his voyage Jan 29 after tending to maintenance requirements. His autopilot, in particular, has been giving him trouble.
“He will make his next port of call and the last en-route halt at Cape Town (South Africa),” the official added.
Dhonde, 42, embarked on the solo circumnavigation of the world Aug 19 this year from Mumbai in the 47 ft vessel named ‘Mhadei’, custom built by the Indian Navy specially for the purpose.
‘Mhadei’ will sail for approximately nine months, stopping at only four ports - Fremantle (Australia), Christchurch (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands) and Cape Town (South Africa) before returning to Mumbai.
Here is the news report from India at the time of his departure:
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