The BIG 8 Challenge

[pt49]

Here's a challenge that I doubt any sailor has ever attempted.

Sail a figure 8 passage around Australia and Antarctica... non-stop.

No motor assistance.

Route... leave any port in Australia, sail anticlockwise around Australia then clockwise around Antarctica and back to your home port.

[pt49]

A masochist might sail clockwise around Australia and anticlockwise around Antarctica of course.

[tp12]

That sounds like a challenge I'd relish. Shame I don't know anyone else who'd give it a crack. If anyone does, I'm happy to crew!

[pt49]

It would be quite a voyage, obviously around Antarctica would be attempted in summer months, and around the Top End of Australia is NOT a summer voyage, due to cyclones... I imagine the Big 8 would be a longer trip than around the world.
... AND, much much more challenging.

I doubt anyone could do it solo.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by pt49

Here's a challenge that I doubt any sailor has ever attempted.

Sail a figure 8 passage around Australia and Antarctica... non-stop.

No motor assistance.

Route... leave any port in Australia, sail anticlockwise around Australia then clockwise around Antarctica and back to your home port.

Isn't sailing supposed to be fun?

[pt49]

Originally Posted by pcmm

Isn't sailing supposed to be fun?

If sailing was supposed to be fun, nobody would try and sail around the world on their own.
Sailing around the world solo is being done all the time now... a woman in her 70's did it in the last 12 months and an 82 year old Aussie just did it a month ago.
Sailing can be fun, but like anything in life, it can be a challenge also...

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by pt49

If sailing was supposed to be fun, nobody would try and sail around the world on their own.
Sailing around the world solo is being done all the time now... a woman in her 70's did it in the last 12 months and an 82 year old Aussie just did it a month ago.
Sailing can be fun, but like anything in life, it can be a challenge also...

I'd actually call that both a challenge and fun! 8ish months without having to deal with another human sounds fantastic! and its on the water to boot!

sailing around antarctica sounds alot like being locked in a freezer gettng water thrown at you while being tumbled like in a cement mixer...

[pt49]

... a washing machine full of ice.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by pt49

Here's a challenge that I doubt any sailor has ever attempted.

Sail a figure 8 passage around Australia and Antarctica... non-stop.

No motor assistance.

Route... leave any port in Australia, sail anticlockwise around Australia then clockwise around Antarctica and back to your home port.

Clockwise and anticlockwise? From what perspective.

[pt49]

Sailing around Antarctica is (obviously) sailing a loop through the Southern Pacific, Southern Atlantic and Southern Indian Oceans which is pretty much what round the world sailors do anyway.
... the higher the latitude, the faster and wilder the ride.