Good luck to CYCA Member Xavier Doerr, who has set off on a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of Australia.

Xavier left on his 21 foot Mini Transat yacht, Waterline, from the Gold Coast on Sunday 29 May.

His journey, named ‘The Little Aussie Lap‘, will take him 7,500 nautical miles around the country as he attempts to break Lisa Blair’s current solo Around Australia record of 58 days.

Xavier is aiming to complete the lap in 50 days.

“I have chosen to go counter-clockwise to use the most preferable weather systems, even though it is coming into winter,” Doerr said.

“A huge challenge will be sleep deprivation. I plan to sleep in 15-minute blocks to keep a proper watch and avoid collisions with other vessels and floating debris. I have a commercial timer which will ensure I wake every 15 minutes.

“One of the biggest challenges for me will be social isolation. Everyone who knows me well knows I am an outgoing person, so being in my own head for that long will be a challenge.

“I plan to call my team when I can and have packed a ‘Wilson’ Volleyball as a companion.”

Xavier competed in his first Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race as an 18-year-old, aboard Active Again for the 75th anniversary race in 2019.

He returned for the 2021 race on James Irvine’s Rogers 46 Mayfair.

Xavier has been a Youth Sailing Academy Crew Member since April 2021.

Good luck, Xavier, from everyone at the CYCA!