Sailors with disABILITIES On Track in Record Attempt

Over five days after they left Sydney, Sailors with DisAbilities, headed by severe dyslexic sufferer, David PESCUD, are still on track to break the Around Australia record, their current ETA in Sydney being 6 July.

The crew on KAZ have been enjoying ideal conditions over the past three days, having entered Queensland waters some days ago, the sun and the sight of a mother whale with its calf heading towards Hervey Bay only enhancing the already good spirits aboard the yacht.

On late Wednesday, an email from KAZ said ‘we have passed the northern most extremity of Fraser Island, Breaksea Spit at dusk – probably our last sight of land for two days as we pass outside of the Great Barrier Reef until we reach Cairns in a couple of days time.’

As predicted by Meteorologist, Roger Badham, KAZ has been experiencing 20-30 knot fresh south-easterly winds as they head for the tip of Cape York, the off-watch crew remaining below decks on Thursday as grey skies heralded the arrival of rain and breaking seas not appealing after the sunny previous days. The rain however, proved popular, as some of the crew took the opportunity to indulge in their first shower in four days.

This afternoon, KAZ was sailing in south-easterly winds of 20-30 knots and abeam of Hamilton Island on the Queensland coast.

She had travelled 689 miles since her start from Sydney at 13.40.19 last Monday, leaving a massive 5,811 nautical miles still to sail to complete her non-stop unassisted circumnavigation, and is looking to beat the 43 day 19 hour 29 min. 55 record set in 1999 by Jeremy Pearce and Kanga Birtles.

While the crew are currently sailing in ideal conditions, there will be some tough times ahead, particularly the home stretch from Tasmania to Sydney, including the notorious Bass Strait.