COFFS Harbour yachtsman Eric Marsh, 72, has made it round the world.
He sailed into Antigua on 10 March after spending 14 months in the inaugural McIntyre Mini Globe Race (MGR).
Eric was the oldest of 15 solo sailors, 13 men and two women, from eight countries.
Competing in #79 Sunbear, a 19ft/5.8m homemade plywood ALMA Globe 580 yacht, Eric endured a tough last leg from Recife in Brazil to the finish line in Antigua.
Temperatures inside the cabin reached 36°C, making it difficult to sleep.
Outside, conditions were blustery with 45 – 50 knot squalls around the Equator, and variable winds and rain making for choppy seas.
He told News Of The Area that it was “quite surreal” sailing into the harbour he left 14 months earlier.
“After 19 [straight] days at sea, I finally arrived in Antigua just before sunset, but not before King Neptune dished up a final squall entering Falmouth Harbour.
“Local boats, MGR directors, and my wife Brenda came out to greet me.
“The harbour was alive with boats and crew sounding whistles and horns, clapping hands to congratulate my achievement.
“It was a wonderful and very emotional experience.”
On their way, the yachtsmen and yachtswomen experienced highs and lows, sometimes sailing for weeks and seeing nothing but water.
“It became quite lonely and sometimes I would get depressed, then sometimes a whale or dolphin would pop up beside you and brighten up your day.
“Speaking to Brenda, my wife, on the sat phone each day really helped to keep me pushing along.
“There were also times of fun sailing, surfing down waves and making good 24-hour mile tallies – some days clocking up 145 nautical miles.”
The adventurer is looking forward to being back with his family, who supported him throughout the journey.
“I really missed surfing each day in Coffs and catching up with my mates out on the water.”
With his 73rd birthday coming up, Eric said the race has taken a toll on his muscles.
“They have depleted more, and my joints have taken a lot of stress.
“Emotionally I feel okay now, but the next few months will take some adjusting after living in a 19ft shoebox.”
Swiss sailor Renaud Stitelmann won the race aboard #28 Capucinette, establishing the record of 180 days, 11 hours, 25 minutes and 57 seconds.
Eric, who finished 10th in the final leg, has already been approached to talk about his unique adventure.
By Andrea FERRARI
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