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| Jeanne at the helm as she sails away, alone. |
70-year-old British solo circumnavigator Jeanne Socrates left Victoria,
BC this morning to begin her third attempt at an unassisted, non-stop solo
circumnavigation of the planet via the great southern capes (Cape Horn [Chile],
Cape of Good Hope [S. Africa], Cape Leeuwin [Australia], S.E. Cape of Tasmania [Australia],
S.W. Cape of Stewart Island [New Zealand]).
It was a cold start for her bid to be the oldest woman (and
one of only few people) to complete this monumental sailing achievement. I was
aboard Nereida, a Najad 380, with
Jeanne and two other friends when she was towed out of Victoria Harbour by a
local whale watching outfit. (Her transmission is disabled for the attempt.) A favorable east wind was blowing 10-15 knots. After final goodbyes, the three
of us disembarked to the tow boat and Jeanne sailed on
alone, across the starting line.
I first contacted Jeanne last month, for an interview. After that interview, I offered to help her get ready. Hers is truly a grass-roots effort and she welcomed all of the time I could spare. Over the past week, I attached fittings down below, attached jack lines topsides, vacuum packed clothing and other things, and
individually wrapped tons of fruits and vegetables for stowage. She was a pleasure
to hang out with and learn from. I plan to share all of my impressions in an upcoming article (along with better pictures). In the meantime, over the next 7 to 8 months, as she sails non-stop, day and night, around the world, Jeanne will post updates
on her website via SSB (www.svnereida.com).
Fair winds mighty lady!
--MR
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| Jeanne Socrates and me. |
She sounds like a kindred spirit.
ReplyDeletedon't forget to add her to your blog list ? She isn't a cruising family but certainly adds a dimension to that list of folks whose blogs are followed through yours. Glad to know you are settled in Victoria and looking forward to hearing about live aboard life in that beautiful city.
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