Australian sailor sets off on mission to circumnavigate Antarctica
Queensland sailor Lisa Blair has set off from Western Australiaās south coast town of Albany to attempt a world record circumnavigating Antarctica.
Ms Blair, 32, hopes to become the first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica solo, non-stop, and unassisted in less than 100 days.
After an electrical problem delayed her departure, Ms Blair was seen off by a large crowd at King George Sound in Albany on Sunday.
āIāve been out doing sea trials every afternoon, weāve gone four or five hour sails every afternoon just testing all the equipment and going through the paces,ā Ms Blair said.
āMaking sure the electronics are working correctly and pleased to say itās all good.ā
The 16,000-nautical-mile voyage passes by the worldās three most notorious capes ā Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn off the coast of Chile and Cape Agulhas off South Africa.
āOnce I clear 45 degrees south, thereās my first storm rolling through,ā Ms Blair said.
āI just canāt wait to get in it and test the boat and see how she handles, put her through her paces.
āUntil that happens you canāt be 100 per cent comfortable.ā
Ms Blair hopes to break Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhovās world record of 102 days, 35 minutes and 50 seconds.
Her fibreglass yacht was designed by Robert Hick and renamed Climate Action Now to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change.
āThe whole boat is covered in the worldās messages on actions that people can take,ā Ms Blair said.
āI am just trying to show them that you can create a difference and as an individual you can create change.ā
Ms Blair is expected to return to Albany towards the end of April.
She will be interacting with people following her journey by blogging and posting photos and videos at her website Lisa Blair Sails The World. Follow Ms Blairās trip on a live map at her website.
ā ABC
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