Jeanne Socrates Heads to San Diego

Jeanne Socrates’ attempt to be the oldest person to circumnavigate the globe singlehanded without stopping is, unfortunately, making an unforeseen stop. Her Najad 380 Nereida should be arriving in San Diego any minute now. As of last night she was sailing in steep seas up to 13-14 feet and in WNW winds of 23-30 knots. Saturday’s short, steep seas and winds into the low 30s tossed Nereida around quite a bit.

Socrates made the tough decision to head for San Diego because, as she wrote in her blog: "Repairs are needed to the boom connection and genset, among other, more minor, items. Not a comfortable thought while heading towards the Southern Ocean that the genset would probably be out of action for the next 7-8 months, giving an ongoing battery power issue with not enough fuel (main engine takes more diesel and is less efficient at frequent topping up of wind and solar power inputs), and the boom connection can only get worse with more rough use and is already badly worn. Not something I can repair — it needs proper attention. Feeling very disheartened and sad. So many people have been so supportive and helpful in so many ways."

The 74-year-old British sailor had battled rough weather and sailed through numerous squalls since departing Victoria, BC, on November 13. She had previously attempted to start this latest circumnavigation in October, but turned back in the face of fierce early-season storms. Socrates is already the oldest female solo nonstop circumnavigator. To read much more backstory and to follow Jeanne’s blog, see www.svnereida.com.