Damaged boat forces Canadian sailor to give up his world solo voyage
VICTORIA — A Victoria sailor has been forced to give up his dream of a solo voyage around the world because his boat is too damaged to make the difficult trip around the dangerous Cape Horn off the tip of South America.
Glenn Wakefield's vessel, the "Kim Chow", started to take on water through broken hatches, the self steering was severely damaged and the engine inoperable after the 12-metre sailboat rolled over in a storm off the Falkland Islands.
"After carefully considering the options Glenn felt he could not safely round the Cape Horn and has made the very personal and difficult decision, and the only logical one under the circumstances...to end his circumnavigation," said a note on Wakefield's web page where people around the world were monitoring his journey.
The update Sunday said Wakefield's decision was greatly influenced by the love for his family back home in Victoria.
Wakefield abandoned ship to the Argentinian naval vessel Puerto Deseado, where he was treated by a doctor for injuries, including a concussion.
While the fate of the boat isn't known yet, Wakefield will be transferred to port in Argentina where he will start the long trip home.
"Words alone can't express his deep appreciation for the bravery and kindness of the captain and crew who stood by for 48 hours until weather and sea conditions would permit his safe transfer to their vessel," the web page said.
The rollover happened in very turbulent South Atlantic seas on day 215 of his attempt at the solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe against prevailing winds.
Wakefield said on Friday he was hoping to tough out the storm and repair the damage to his vessel.
He had relayed messages by a ham radio network that the sail boat went completely upside down and everything in the hold was all over the place - but he managed to get himself a cup of tea.
The "Kim Chow" was about 575 kilometres from the Falklands when the storm hit.
The carpenter, who has two grown daughters, sailed from Victoria in September.
Wakefield's plan was to become the first North American to circumnavigate west-about, or into the prevailing winds, rather than with the winds as it's usually done.
