Vendee Globe - Liz Wardley withdraws but new adventure planned

by Vendee Globe on 29 Jun 2012 On Tuesday June 26 Liz Wardley announced she would not be at the start of the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe starting in les Sables d'Olonne on November 10, due to the withdrawal of her sponsor.

But her passion for adventure has nonetheless prompted the yachtswoman to prepare for a brand new and impressive challenge: Single-handedly crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a dugout canoe!

Liz Wardley is a true adventuress. After resigning herself to giving up her 2012-2013 Vendée Globe paticipation project because her main sponsor withdrew, the Papouasia-New Guinea-born skipper is getting ready for a unique experience.

'Chook' is currently preparing for a solo Atlantic crossing on a dugout canoe. Starting in mid-November 2012 - and until the end of February 2013 at the latest - she will be on standby in the Canary Islands, waiting for favourable weather conditions allowing her to start her 4,600-kilometre crossing. It will take her 35 to 45 days to reach the West Indies.

'I’m totally focusing on this project, I train hard every day, I compete as often as I can and I’m currently looking for new partners, Liz Wardley explains as she still needs to find 200,000 euros to cover the complete cost of the budget. These days, all I can think about is that challenge, I live for it 24/7.'

Throughout the crossing a boat will sail with her carrying food supplies, making sure she is safe and taking care of routing and communication operations.

Liz is preparing on a smaller boat while waiting for her seven-metre dugout canoe, which should be ready to go by August.

'I will have to wait until work on the final canoe has been completed before I start long-distance training sessions', she says.

Vendee Globe website