Lisa Blair has set a World Sailing Speed Record Sydney to Auckland solo
by Carolyn Grant 9 Apr 2024 23:41 BST
Australian record-breaking solo sailor Lisa Blair has set two new World Sailing Speed Records (to be ratified by WSSRC) for the fastest time Sydney to Auckland and first woman, solo monohull record slicing an incredible more than 4 days off the record to finish in 8 days, 3hrs and 19 minutes.
The previous record set on the 22nd of January 2020, by retired Australian Veteran James Prascevic with a time of 12d 14h 41m 15s.
Lisa was greeted at the finish line off Rangitoto Island with a hooting welcome crowd before making her way escorted by hosts RNZYS to Westhaven Marina. The journey of more than 1400 nms was peppered with fluky winds and lighting storms, squalls over 30 knots then hours of calm, a knock down and close encounters with vessels.
“On this trip the weather and seas threw every element at me and because it was a short window I have hardly slept and really pushed my settings the whole way. The boat has performed superbly but I am pretty exhausted,” she said after 8 sleep deprived days and nights."
Lisa’s campaign was to 'Cross the Ditch for Climate Action Now', raising awareness of ocean pollution issues and advocating for everyone to make a change for the health of the ocean.
In coming days she will now embark on her next campaign sailing a new record for Auckland to Auckland around New Zealand to become the first person to complete the trip, solo, non-stop and unassisted, a voyage she anticipates will take 15 to 18 days to complete.
Lisa is the current world-record holder for sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica in 2022, breaking the record by 10 days to add to her 4 other world records.
Following the NZ projects Lisa also has plans for an Arctic world record. The feature film about her Antarctic voyage, Ice Maiden, will have it’s world premiere at the Dock Edge Film Festival in NZ in June this year.