77 Year Old To Sail Around The World Solo
After abandoning his first attempt due to issues with his boat, 77-year-old sailor Dr. Stanley Paris is again attempting to become the oldest and fastest person to sail solo around the world from Bermuda, and is presently sailing to the island to begin his journey.
Dr. Paris’ blog post detailing his approach to Bermuda today said, “The wind is down to 9 knots [10 mph], blowing just east of north while I struggle to the northeast to round Bermuda placing it on my starboard side.
“I move at 7 knots and at this speed I will not make the start line in Bermuda until 9.00pm or later Friday night.
Photo courtesy of Dr Paris’ website:
“This is not good. Rounding a reef enclosed island and having to within a mile of the shore and half a mile from reefs with uncertain winds behind the island is not something I shall attempt at night. I will no doubt heave to and drift the night away so as to approach on Saturday morning,” continued Dr. Paris.
“I have been at sea now for only four days on this the first leg of a solo circumnavigation beginning in St. Augustine to set a new record but restarting without stopping in Bermuda to challenge the existing 150 day 6 hour record set by Dodge Morgan in 1986. It’s going to be a long voyage. No serious problems as of yet but its early days.
“The send-off from St. Augustine was at 10.00am on November 9 and, as requested, much smaller than last time. Towed to the start, my son Alan and project manager Steve Pettengill were both on board to assist in getting sails launched and so I could wave to those taking photos.
Dr Paris’ latest position shown on his online tracker today:
“Both Alan and Steve are circumnavigators. Short of the start Towboat US held my bow to the wind, the mainsail was then hoisted and I began to sail to the start line, a line due south of the Sea Buoy.
“Alan and Steve jumped off onto the Towboat as it came along side and I let fly the large genoa. I crossed to line and was soon doing 12 knots – the fastest so far on this voyage. Tomorrow Bermuda.”
Dr Paris’ boat pictured off St David’s, Bermuda during his last attempt in 2013:
Regarding this latest attempt to break the record, Dr. Paris previously said, “There will be a difference this time. Our start last time was postponed because of weather at the inlet and that could well occur again.
“But last time once I reached Bermuda the wind was mostly absent for three days and I languished during that time. Now my weather routers will be monitoring the weather for ten days.”
The New Zealand-born Dr Paris is the father of Alan Paris, who became the first Bermudian sailor to complete a circumnavigation of the globe in 2003.
