Sausage rolls for final push

Kayaker Scott Donaldson has been stocked up with sausage rolls, chicken sandwiches and peanut slabs for the final push to complete the first solo paddle between Australia and New Zealand.

Yesterday afternoon Donaldson was less than 100 kilometres from land and was expected to reach the Taranaki coast tomorrow, media liaison Freddy Foote said.

‘‘He’s making good progress and has a tail wind but it’s looking like it will be Tuesday rather than Monday,’’ Foote said.

‘‘He’s in good spirits and physically he’s in tip-top shape.’’

It is Donaldson’s second attempt to make the crossing, falling an agonising 74 km short in 2014 when he was rescued in heavy seas after losing his rudder and being unable to recharge his radio batteries.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, support crew team leader Nigel Escott said their support vessel had met Donaldson early Friday morning and stayed with him for 36 hours.

‘‘With his GPS location updated on the boat every few minutes, he was actually very easy to find and considering it was in the dark of the night.’’

‘‘We’ve restocked Scott with some of his favourite foods, so he’s enjoyed some sausage rolls, a few chicken sandwiches and some peanut slabs.

‘‘We’ve also taken the opportunity to make sure his on-board batteries are fully charged and everything is set for this final phase of the trip.’’

Donaldson’s wife Sarah Donaldson has been waiting in New Plymouth with the couple’s 8-year-old son Zac for the past week. ‘‘As he inches ever closer to land, it just becomes more and more anxiety-producing, due to the fact he got so close last time as well, and he’s been out there for a while,’’ she said.

‘‘New Plymouth would be the best, anywhere in Taranaki would be lovely since I’m from here.’’

‘‘But as long as he comes in I really don’t care.’’

To follow Donaldson’s progress, head to tasmankayak.com.