Queensland sailor Lisa Blair has set off from Western Australia’s south coast town of Albany to attempt a world record circumnavigating Antarctica.

Ms Blair, 32, hopes to become the first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica solo, non-stop, and unassisted in less than 100 days.

After an electrical problem delayed her departure, Ms Blair was seen off by a large crowd at King George Sound in Albany on Sunday.

“I’ve been out doing sea trials every afternoon, we’ve gone four or five hour sails every afternoon just testing all the equipment and going through the paces,” Ms Blair said.

“Making sure the electronics are working correctly and pleased to say it’s all good.”

The 16,000-nautical-mile voyage passes by the world’s three most notorious capes — Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn off the coast of Chile and Cape Agulhas off South Africa.

“Once I clear 45 degrees south, there’s my first storm rolling through,” Ms Blair said.

“I just can’t wait to get in it and test the boat and see how she handles, put her through her paces.

“Until that happens you can’t be 100 per cent comfortable.”

Ms Blair hopes to break Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov’s world record of 102 days, 35 minutes and 50 seconds.

Her fibreglass yacht was designed by Robert Hick and renamed Climate Action Now to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change.

“The whole boat is covered in the world’s messages on actions that people can take,” Ms Blair said.

“I am just trying to show them that you can create a difference and as an individual you can create change.”

Ms Blair is expected to return to Albany towards the end of April.

She will be interacting with people following her journey by blogging and posting photos and videos at her website Lisa Blair Sails The World.

Source
ABC News