AUSSIE’S 10TH CIRCUMNAVIGATION
A78-year old Australian sailor has completed a record 10th circumnavigation – and like many of the other voyages, this one was mostly single-handed.
Jon Sanders returned to Carnarvon in Western Australia aboard Perie Banou II, a S&S 39, late last year. It appears the extraordinary sailor – who underwent open heart surgery in 2015 – lives by an unusual mantra: “Why be ordinary when I can be original?”
A native of Fremantle and schooled in Perth, Jon began his sailing career at a young age. He started breaking records and became the darling of the Australian press when he completed a solo triple nonstop circumnavigation in 1988 aboard Parry Endeavour, a 71,000nm journey that took 658 days. Parry Endeavour now takes pride of place next to the 1983 America’s Cup winner Australia II in the Fremantle Maritime Museum.
Says Anne Hammick, Commodore of the Ocean Cruising Club: “Jon epitomizes the spirit of the club, with his low-key approach and his love of being at sea. Things have not always gone smoothly for him, but he never gives up and he never shouts ‘unfair!’ He remains an inspiration to us all, and a role model for the many who aspire to cross an ocean in their own yacht.”
AMONG MANY OTHERS, JON’S WEBSITE RECORDS THE FOLLOWING ACHIEVEMENTS:
1970 First solo circumnavigation trip east to west mostly sailing through tropics. 1981/2 Double non-stop solo circumnavigation west to east via Southern Ocean. 1988 March 13th returned from 658 days 21 hours and 18 minutes at sea, completing three non-stop solo circumnavigations. The Guinness Book of Records says it’s longest distance ever sailed continuously by any vessel (71,023nm). More information is available at Jon’s blog: http://www.jonsanders.com.au/