Sun Rise Circumnavigation Finale

[MalcolmP]

admin said:

Alain Maignan in his Jeanneau Sun Rise 34 is making good progress in his non-stop solo circumnavigation bid and now only about one week away from rounding Cape Horn

Alain left on the 7th of October 2006 from Trinité-Sur-Mer, Brittany

His French language site is full of maps and information

alainmaignan.sportblog.fr/

If French is not your strongest point , the following link provides an autotranslate, that whilst far from perfect may assist

tinyurl.com/2kts3u

Malcolm

Alain is due to complete his impressive non-stop circumnavigation this Wednesday

his current position off the Brittany coast is

46° 17' 37" N 6° 11' 52 " W

More at:

tinyurl.com/2kts3u

[MalcolmP]

Glad to see Marian at BYM has provided the recognition Alain deserves:

www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=6191

Unsung hero Alain Maignan finishes round the world epic

Thursday, 12 April 2007

Yesterday, saw the end of an epic voyage that went largely unnoticed by most of the sailing world, partly because communications were in French, but partly because Alain Maignan is a modest, no fuss sort of guy, who approaches gales and gear failures with equanimity, so writes about them without a rant, or a moan.
Alain left La Trinité sur Mer to sail solo round the world, on Saturday October 7, 2006, accompanied by the local lifeboat, a flotilla of small boats and two large launches carrying hundreds of well wishers.

Three days later, he went through the first of many gales he was to encounter, but his calm description left no impression of hazard. Even when, on the approaches to Cape Horn, he had to steer for 10 hours, under storm jib, in 40 knots, the only way you knew how tough it was, was because he mentioned that extreme tiredness could make you hallucinate and gave an amusing description of seeing a horse and cart on the water.

Every couple of days, this intrepid man sent back words and pictures, describing the conditions, the wild life, the litter on the seas, or some small aspect of ocean life for the benefit of French school children who were following his adventure.

When Alain crossed the finishing line, at 14h 24 yesterday, after 185 days 22 hours and 03 minutes at sea, the crowds that saw him off were there to greet their hero.

Now, if you’re thinking that 185 days isn’t exactly record breaking stuff you’re right, but Alain Maignan wasn’t in an Open 60, nor even an Open 40, he was in a Jeanneau Sun Rise 34 – the sort of mass produced family cruising boat that “armchair” round the world sailors and racers often sneer about. What’s more, the boat wasn’t prepared for the voyage by a specialist yard, every bit of work was done in Alain’s back garden, by himself and friends. Then there’s his web site, that was frequently updated again by volunteer friends, and is packed with stories. Take a look at alainmaignan.sportblog.fr/, even if you don’t speak French, you’ll enjoy the pictures and it might inspire some people to stop talking about sailing exploits and get doing!

Marian Martin