On Sept. 2 Canadian sailor Glenn Wakefield set sail from Oak Bay in an attempt to complete a single-handed, non-stop, west about circumnavigation.
Wakefield, 63, is sailing West Wind II, a Sparkman and Stephens Comanche 42 built by Chris-Craft. To prepare his boat for offshore open ocean conditions, Wakefield did an extensive refit to the deck, rigging and interior of the vessel over the past three years.
This is Wakefield’s second attempt at the journey, having sailed three quarters of the way around the world in 2007-2008.
After a series of storms near Cape Horn damaged his boat, he was forced to discontinue his voyage.
“I feel very lucky to get a second chance at this,” said Wakefield. “While it’s a long time to be away from my family and friends, I’m looking forward to the challenge and being on the ocean again.”
While at sea, Wakefield will speak to a network of ham radio operators around the world. He’ll send regular updates via email to his wife MaryLou in Victoria who will update his website glennwakefieldaroundtheworld.com.
He estimates the 30,000-mile non-stop journey will take approximately 10 months and he has food and provisions on board for a year.
Wakefield left from the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Cadboro Bay where he first learned to sail more than four decades ago.
For more information, and to follow Wakefield on his circumnavigation, go to glennwakefieldaroundtheworld.com or visit his blog at kimchowaroundtheworld.com for details of his first attempt.