Aussie odyssey
Xavier Doerr has set off on his attempt to beat the record for the non-stop circumnavigation of Australia.
04 May 2023
Advertisement
Gold Coast-based youth sailor Xavier Doerr has taken on one of Australia’s most challenging solo sailing campaigns, and second attempt, to complete a non-stop, unassisted, solo circumnavigation of Australia in his 21-foot Mini Transat Carbon Fibre Race Yacht, GCCM.
He departed from Southport Yacht Club Thursday 4 May and headed out the Seaway and to the start line – the sand pumping jetty on the Gold Coast, from where he will attempt to complete his counter clockwise circumnavigation and arrive back at the line in 50 days’ time.
This incredible campaign has only been successfully completed by two people and the current record is held by Lisa Blair who in 2018 took 58 days to complete in her Hick 50, Climate Action Now.
Aboard his 750 kg blue yacht – named GCCM for sponsor, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, the circumnavigation of the enormous Australian continent feat is equivalent to one third of a lap of the Globe or 12 Sydney Hobart Races.
Advertisement
In his first attempt commencing May 2022, Xavier was struck by an unforeseen cyclonic storm event, forcing him to stay awake for 72 hours in swells the size of two-storey buildings and 70-knot winds to steer his boat to safety.
In the wake of his last unsuccessful attempt, which rendered his electronics useless as his batteries flooded with water.
Three years in the making, this second campaign would not be possible without the incredible support of generous sponsors: GCCM Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Mass Products, B&G, Aramex, Southern Seas Marine, Waterline, Deepwater Collective, Zhik, RawCorp, Australian Framing Solutions, Evolution Sails, Rope Solutions Rigging, PredictWind, Mastervolt, RELION, Hybrid Composites, WrapIt, Classic Marine Trimming and Southport Yacht Club
You can follow the gigantic Little Aussie Lap via the Live Tracker.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
