Blog Day 92
Albany Harbour
Hi All
OMG, I have just had the most intense and exciting 48 hours and there is so much to share with you all. Day 91 was going to be my last full day at sea, and I still had over 150 nm left to sail in the morning. The winds were going to make me work for every mile, so I was sailing with 2 reefs in the mainsail and the no 2 jib out. The winds were due to increase a little overnight before easing the next day and backing from the WNW to the NW which would give me just enough angle to ease sails and start aiming for the finish line.
I had been sailing upwind with all the sails trimmed in tight on a close-hauled angle so it was the most uncomfortable angle and there were several large squalls coming along so the winds were blowing at 10 knots one second and 35 knots the next. It was hugely frustrating as I was pushing as hard as I could trying to reach Australia before sunset on Tuesday but by midnight it became obvious that I wasn't going to be able to make it, and I would need to slow down a little to make safe landfall at sunrise on Wednesday instead. I was only able to manage 5 knots of speed that night because I was either going slow with no wind or so overpowered, we were pinned on our side. I believe that I managed only 2 hours of sleep but to be fair it is all a blur right now.
That day was going to be my final full day at sea so there were several things I needed to do to get ready for the arrival and many of which I didn't get done until way too late. I needed to race around and do a quick cabin tidy up, pack a shore bag as I was aware that as soon as I landed there would be no time to do this, have a bucket bath to make myself presentable for land, try to get some sleep, and between everything I needed to sail the boat and complete so many sail changes to try to adapt for the ever changing winds.
By 5pm we had sailed into a wind hole and Climate Action Now was now sailing at the rapid speed of 2 knots towards the finish line and I was on deck trimming endlessly trying to get as much speed out of her as possible. By 10 pm the new winds started to fill in from the SW and I was finally able to ease out the sails and start sailing on a broad reach in the 8 knots of wind. By midnight I was back sailing in 20 knots of wind, and I was now going so fast that I would arrive before daylight. I now needed to slow the boat down. With 40 nm to the finish, I was putting 3 reefs in the mainsail, and I furled the no 2 jib away in an effort to slow her down to 5 knots, but with the favourable current and her sleek hull coated with the Awl Grip antifoul we were still travelling at 9 knots.
I was eventually able to reduce the speeds down to 5 knots and slowly sail the final 30 nm while waiting for the sun to rise. I was on deck just before I attempted to get some sleep at midnight and the skies had now cleared and it was this glorious sky of stars. It looked like the world was giving me natural fireworks to welcome me to land. I attempted sleep for 3 hours but never actually fell asleep as this combination of boat alarms, my phone ringing and my proximity to land kept me awake, so finally at 4am I gave up on sleep and finally fitted in that bucket bath.
So I could finally wash my hair for the first time in 2.5 months as it was simply too cold down in Antarctica to do it so. I was looking terrible for a land arrival and likely smelt to the high heavens. I was planning on hugging so many people the minute my feet touch dry land, so this bucket bath really needed to happen. I boiled two kettles and then on the floor of the heads (toilet) compartment I knelt and finally got that hair wash. It was a very sad shower, but it did the job of making me presentable for dry land and all those hugs...
By 5am I pulled down the storm jib that had been up for the whole of the circumnavigation and in use for most of that time and then it was the final run to port. I was only 20 nm from the coast when I could see the first glimmer of land in the pre-dawn light and as the sun rose my first sighting of Australia in 92 days appeared. I was so happy that I simply stared at land for a while with this stupid grin on my face as it finally hit home that I was going to break this record... It was actually happening, and it was happening right now...
The day was mostly clear but there were a few large squalls around as I weaved between a little island and a reef before rounding Bald Head the final headland and sailing into King George Sound. My finish line was between Breaksea Island lighthouse and the rotary lookout that sits above the Albany township, and I was 3 nm from the finish when the first boat arrived to great me in. Darren the local shipwright at Emu Point Shipwright services sailed and the frantic arm waving and smiling began.
I continued for the finish line just as a squall behind me created this huge double rainbow and from my family's perspective on a support boat it looked like the rainbow landed right on Climate Action Now just as dolphins started playing nearby. Sailing across the finish line the collection of boats all started tooting their horns and Chis released a flare to indicate that I was officially finished. Mark McRae who was my official adjudicator for the World Sailing Speed Record time logged the finish time giving me an elapsed time of 92 Days, 18 Hours, 21 Minutes, and 20 Seconds (to be ratified). I was ecstatic that not only had I finished this project and completed a record that had been 8 years in the making, but I had also managed to shave over 9 days off the original time, becoming the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica, the first women (again breaking my own previous record) and the third person in history to every complete the trip.
The celebrations really started as I shouted from boat to boat and spoke with my family as we turned back for the Albany port. As I neared the lookout there were hundreds of people all shouting and waving and as I could see them from a distance jumping up and down with excitement, I had to match it so I spent the next 30 minutes hollering, waving and grinning like a fool as we all made out way into port. Along the way the two harbour tugs joined the parade of the sail into the harbour with 13 local boats also sailing in with us and the whole of the foreshore of Albany lined with spectators and people welcoming me in.
We came into port, and I docked briefly on the Albany Marina to be officially cleared by customs and then it was time to take the boat over to the public wooden dock where Mayor, Dennis Wellington, and Robert Williams, along with over a thousand people stood by to greet me back to dry land. I jumped ashore and as my family were still making their way around from the boat, I started just hugging people. So long away it was surreal to be able to interact and have whole conservations with people. Finally, my family arrived and with tears in our eyes, we all hugged before Robert Williams the founder of the Antarctica Cub Ocean Race awarded me the Perpetual Trophy that was originally awarded to Fedor Konyukhov in 2008. As I stood there holding this remarkable glass trophy, I started tearing up again. This project was no longer a solo mission as it has taken hundreds of people to make it possible from my incredible sponsors Canva, Laurus Projects and Red Sky Insurance, the official technical suppliers, the 360-degree sponsors and everyone that volunteered and donated. You are all amazing and this project never would have been successful without your support, so this award and trophy is for all of us so thank you. We have together made history.
The next several hours was a whirlwind of media, questions and celebrations and it hasn't really stopped so thank you all for being able to wait for this final blog of the trip. I will be continuing to keep you all updated as I slowly make my way back to Sydney and there will be opportunities for open boat days and talks as I go but I need to catch my breath first.
I am going to have to leave it here for now as I need to run to the Civic Reception that Albany is hosting for me, but I just wanted to do a large shout out to one of the first, 360 degree sponsors to sign up and the very last degree of the record.
Thank you to:
117 East - Pacific Sailing School - Thank you so much to Terry and his team for your amazing support. Pacific Sailing School is based in Sydney at Rushcutters Bay and is not only an RYA training school but also the oldest sailing school in Sydney and personally the best one... I might be bias though as this is the sailing school that I teach at between projects and they have always supported me and my sailing. I do plan to do more teaching for them soon so make sure to look at the great sailing courses on offer.
Thank you, Albany, for making my welcome home special and goodnight, all.
SPONSORS
TECHNICAL PARTNERS
DEGREE SPONSORS CLICK HERE
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