Australian’s attempt to become first woman to sail solo around Antarctica is sunk by broken mast
An Australian attempting to become the first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica solo was forced to abandon the bid on Tuesday after being demasted in ferocious seas and high winds, more than two months after setting sail.
The mast is currently being dragged behind the boat ... with the damage she has, the record attempt is abandoned
Lisa Blair was 72 days into the non-stop and unassisted 14,000-nautical mile voyage around the icy continent on her yacht “Climate Action Now”.
She was aiming to break the record set by Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov who braved storms, freezing temperatures, and the threat of icebergs to complete the journey in 102 days, 35 minutes and 50 seconds.
But the conditions have taken their toll, with her support crew saying the yacht’s mast broke early on Tuesday 895km south of Cape Town in seven metre swells and 40 knot winds.
“The mast is currently being dragged behind the boat. She is regrouping after making the boat safe and at first light will assess the situation,” her spokeswoman Tracey Whittaker said.
“With the damage she has, the record attempt is abandoned,” she added, shortly after speaking with Blair, who was unhurt in the incident.
Once the full extent of the damage is known, her team will work on options for Blair to best reach land.
