Jeanne Socrates, 67-Year-Old Grandmother, Starts Her Solo Non-Stop Circumnavigation

[Lighthouse]

Today is the day for Jeanne Socrates, 67-year-old grandmother, to begin her solo non-stop circumnavigation.

She's been held up by the weather for a few days, but today she is to be towed to her start line at Canada's Victoria Harbour entrance to be ready to sail away around 4pm local time.

Her attempt is being recorded by the World Speed Sailing Record Council, and for that she carries a 'black box' to record her attempt.

She says today she is expecting west wind over strong (Springs) ebb tide from Race Rock westward, so will have rough water, but a 'push' in right direction initially, with difficult sailing out of Strait of Juan de Fuca.

That's a calculation, and by late Tuesday, she thinks the storm that has kept her from starting should have abated. She needs to get away south from Canada before the winter gales start in earnest.

Of course attempting to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world may not be the typical behaviour of a 67-year-old grandmother.

But Jeanne Socrates is not typical. This epic, seventh month non-stop journey in her 38ft-foot boat Nereida, is the culmination of some extraordinary adventures already.

Full story - HERE

I have met Jeanne - a very competent sailor.