Famous Russian sailor Fedor Konyukhov aims to become the first person to sail solo around Antarctica.
Starting in January 2008 from Albany, Western Australia, the 56 year-old yachtsman will endeavor to sail his 27 metre (88′) yacht Trading Network Alye Parusa around the challenging 14,600 mile Antarctica Cup Race Track. His intention is to claim the inaugural world record for sailing solo, non-stop, around Antarctica as a prelude to the Antarctica Cup Race planned for 2009/10 to coincide with the Centenary celebrations of the Princess Royal Sailing Club in Albany.
Fedor, who is currently in Falmouth, England preparing ‘Trading Network Alye Parusa’ prior to setting sail for Australia in October, has already completed four global circumnavigations and crossed the Atlantic fourteen times, one of them in a rowing boat. His latest record attempt will be ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) and provide a benchmark for others to beat.