Sixty-eight-year-old British sailor Jeanne Socrates will launch her third attempt to become the first and oldest woman to complete an unsupported sail around the world via Cape Horn. Her two previous attempts were unsuccessful and included a shipwreck and a knockdown.
A veteran offshore sailor, Socrates’ first around-the-world solo trip ended in disaster 60 miles shy of her destination on the Pacific coast of Mexico in 2008. The boat, a 36-foot Najad called Nereida was lost. Her second attempt ended off Cape Town, South Africa, in January 2011.
In October 2012, Socrates plans to depart from Victoria, British Columbia, aboard her Najad 380, Nereida. This trip, her third attempt, will be supported by ACR Electronics, Scanstrut and Raymarine. Her attempt is expected to take eight months and will be validated by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.
A retired teacher, Socrates and her husband George sailed their Najad 361, Nereida, from Sweden to the Mediterranean following her retirement in 1997. Together they sailed throughout the Caribbean and East Coast of the U.S. until George’s death from cancer in 2003. From 2004 to 2006 Socrates sailed around British Columbia, California and Mexico. In 2006, she took part in the Singlehanded TransPac from San Francisco to Hawaii where she gained confidence offshore.
She now sails as a memorial to her husband and friends who have died of cancer and to encourage others to live their dreams regardless of age.
You can follow her progress by visiting www.svnereida.com.
