On Monday 17th December 2018, yachtswoman Lisa Blair will return home from her latest record-breaking sailing challenge of solo circumnavigating the entire coast of Australia non stop and unassisted after facing a number of physical and emotional challenges along the way.
As Lisa returns to Sydney Harbour she will be the proud new holder of three world records. Lisa invites Sydneysiders to join her on the harbour to welcome her home as she comes through the heads over the record line and sails up the harbour to d’Albora Marinas – Rushcutters Bay. After 54 days at sea Lisa has been craving hot chips and a cold beer, and as it was her birthday on Friday 14th December there will also be a cake.
d’Albora Marinas is Lisa’s primary supporter and sponsor of this current venture which was christened ‘d’Albora’s Action Project: AUS 360’. Suzanne Davies, CEO of d’Albora Marinas commented, “We are delighted to support Lisa in her journey to be the first solo female sailor to circumnavigate Australia and are very proud to be part of spreading positive environmental messages. d’Albora Marinas and Lisa are very aligned in support of women putting themselves out there to achieve great things and in spreading positive environmental action.”
On Saturday, October 20th 2018, Lisa embarked on her adventure, in an attempt to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Australia. This Australian is no stranger to such a challenge and holds the record for the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica from 2017.
Lisa’s ambitious journey began 54 days ago when she set sail from d’Albora Marinas – Rushcutters Bay on Sydney Harbour. She set off to circumnavigate the entire coastline of Australia, including Tasmania, anti-clockwise as the only person on board. Over her 6,536 nautical mile voyage, Lisa was not allowed to stop or be assisted in any way.
Surprisingly, before setting out, Lisa expected that this journey may present even more challenges than her Antarctica venture, where she almost lost her life in a de-masting disaster. One of the biggest obstacles she faced was sleep deprivation having to check the horizon constantly, limiting sleep to a maximum of 20 minutes at any one time. On her last leg to Sydney she also is set to encounter one of the biggest storms Sydney’s seen over the past 12 months.
During her journey, Lisa has also encountered dense sea traffic, as well as reefs, constant changes in wind direction and fierce storms through the Pandora passage. Before setting out, Lisa recognised this, remarking:
“People think this circumnavigation is easier because Australia is right there, about 30-50km away for most of the trip, but there is commercial shipping and private boating all around Australia which means I have to keep a constant lookout. In shallow water, instead of the rolling ocean swell, you also get the peaky, steep, sharp little waves and I have nowhere to run.”
To document and outline her adventure, Lisa wrote a daily blog which can be found on her website. There were many highs and lows throughout the journey and she has commented that the following stuck out for her:
- Sailing through the Pandora passage in an intense lightning storm with terrifying 5 metre swells reminding her of her plight in Antarctica all those months ago
- Once again sailing through the southern waters and spotting a single Albatross, just like she did on her Antarctica adventure
- En-route Lisa nicknamed her deck ‘The Feathered Inn’ as she loved the constant birdlife dropping by on the deck to accompany her for a free ride like it was an at sea hotel
- The anxiety of being away from family when her father became seriously ill falling into a coma as she was off the West Coast of Australia and the elation of that first conversation when he came round
Lisa added,
“I’m thrilled to have d’Albora Marinas support my adventure through the highs and lows. D’Albora Marinas have always supported my missions and I’m looking forward to being their ambassador over the next 12 months. ”
This journey has been particularly important for Lisa as it has been a chance to raise awareness for her Climate Action Now campaign. Lisa founded the campaign to focus on positive individual actions people can take to support clean oceans.
For this journey, Lisa is on track to break these world records:
- The first woman to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Australia.
- The first 100% sustainably powered vessel to undertake a consecutive non-stop, unassisted, voyage around Australia.
- The first mono-hull to complete a solo, non-stop and unassisted voyage around Australia
