Sailor Hatfield raced solo around world

Canadian sailor Derek Hatfield is being remembered for his two solo voyages around the world and years of passionate charitable work.

Hatfield, who in 2003 became the 126th person to sail around the globe alone, had died at the age of 63, his wife, Patianne Verburgh, told CBC.

In a statement, friend and fellow sailor Eric Holden told The Canadian Press that Hatfield, who was living in Nova Scotia, “was an inspiration to follow one’s dreams and not be deterred despite what seemed insurmountable challenges.”

“He achieved what many sailors only dream of, in a world that many Canadians are unaware even exists,” Holden said.

Hatfield, a native of Newcastle, N.B., set off from Newport, R.I., on the Around Alone race in September 2002.

Piloting a 12-metre sailboat he built with friends and family, Hatfield sailed 28,700 nautical miles in nine months to achieve his goal of circumnavigating the globe.