A Birthday at High Seas

Today, 12 December, marks Fedor Konyukhov’s 67th birthday, which he will be celebrating on board his rowboat “AKROS” in the Southern Ocean’s Roaring Forties. The weather is less than ideal; there is a headwind, and Fedor struggles to maintain the boat’s 180° course (due south). Moving east right now is impossible. The ocean will continue to test the Russian explorer for at least another 48 hours, when the winds will turn westerly and thus more favourable.

However, Fedor Konyukhov is not discouraged, as things could well be worse. For one, the Southern Ocean could have dumped a storm on Fedor with wind speeds of 60 knots. And secondly, not everyone celebrates their 67th birthday following their dream – the grand dream of going around Cape Horn in a rowboat.

In a phone conversation this morning, Fedor said he was grateful to God for the privilege to have lived so long considering his lifestyle and numerous expeditions. Ahead is an enormous ocean. The largest ocean on the planet – the Pacific. Fedor thanked his friends, partners, and family, for their support in such complex projects.

Tomorrow Fedor will have spent exactly a week at sea. Fedor got in the working rhythm, has checked and made sure all systems are in working order and got a feel for the boat in which he spent just 10 training hours (training sorties in England and New Zealand) before the start of his journey. He is mentally prepared for the journey ahead – the 9 thousand kilometres to Cape Horn.