6000 km solo across the Indian Ocean, from Christmas Island via Cocos Keeling to Réunion. 28 days without land, dealing with only small technical problems, calms and two heavy-weather fronts with waves over five metres. I spend five days sailing in strong winds and rough seas, heave-to for 24 hours and finally reach Réunion happily and proud after 3000 nautical miles alone on the ocean.
ocean crossing
Birds, Crabs & Crisis. Sailing 1500 Miles from Australia to Christmas Island
1,500 nautical miles solo across the Indian Ocean: from Darwin to Ashmore Reef and on to Christmas Island. A loose shackle sends the boom swinging wild, the oil pump fails right at the reef, a squall snaps the spinnaker pole in two — and mid-ocean, the insurer drops single-handed sailors. In between: frigatebirds, boobies, noddies, turtles, and coconut crabs in one of the most remote corners of the planet. A voyage of wildlife, wonder, and on-the-fly repairs.
Broken Rib, Gale & Reefs: My 2,000-Mile Solo Sail to Darwin
A wild 2,000-mile sailing journey from Coffs Harbour to Darwin. Encountering storms, breaking waves, reefs, squalls, equipment failures and a broken rib, I push north along Australia’s east coast. From Brisbane and the Whitsundays to Cairns, Cape York and the Torres Strait, every mile brings new challenges. Darwin marks the end of one chapter—and the beginning of an even bigger voyage toward Europe.
Headwinds non-stop: Why this crossing is so dreaded. New Zealand to Australia
A 1,200-mile sailing voyage from New Zealand to Australia turns into a race against time. Cyclone warnings, headwinds, rough seas, broken gear, and failed weather reports test two sailors on the wild Tasman Sea. Plans change from Sydney to Coffs Harbour. After 17 exhausting days battling wind and waves, they finally reach Australia—tired, relieved, and victorious.