The Idea

Virgin Island Based American Solo Sailor, Donna Lange, is heading North to New England to complete preparation for a One-Stop World Circumnavigation in the Roaring Forties.

Donna's 2 year plan - July 15, 2005:

I have just set the time frame to head off again on the first leg of a very challenging itinerary. My goal is to sail solo around the world on Inspired Insanity, my Southern Cross 28-foot sloop. A real circumnavigation of the world!!

The first leg of this journey will be to New Zealand requiring 4 months of sailing from Bristol, Rhode Island. I'll go southeast heading toward Cape Verde island of Sao Vincent (off west coast of Africa) and continue South staying west until I'm past the southern tip of Africa. I'll then head east once I hit the Westerlies of the Southern Ocean, then on around the Cape of Good Hope. From there it is a clear sail to New Zealand (in a manner of speaking). I should see land near Aussi and Tasmania but I'll be on to Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand. A rebuild will be needed I am sure.

I'll enjoy New Zealand until the next summer comes around (winter 2006/07 in north hemisphere). Then I'm off. On past Australia well to my north and then around Cape Horn (Southern tip of South America). Another 4 months for sure. I am going around the Horn west to east with the Southern Ocean current. Once past Cape Horn, I will swing a bit northeast then north, passing the Cape Verde's (Africa) again.