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Plymouth to champion a sailing first as solo skipper sails back to victory
24th April 2019
Asia (Joanna) Pajkowska the Polish Skipper of ‘FanFan’ a 40-ft aluminium yacht became the first Polish woman to circumnavigate the globe singlehanded, unaided and non-stop, when she returned to Mayflower Marina in Plymouth, UK at 08.40 GMT on Sunday 28th April.
Asia Pajkowska, who originally set sail from Mayflower Marina in Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth on Sunday 23rd September 2018, spent 216 days alone at sea on board her yacht ‘FanFan’ whilst undertaking her adventurous sailing expedition of nearly 29,000 nautical miles. In an incredible feat of skill and determination the award winning, solo sailor took a classic sea route east round the three famous capes of Africa, Australia and South America, with no outer medical or technical support. Asia, 60, remarkably accomplished this trip without making any stops to ports and whilst battling some heavy gales and at one point breaking her ribs.
Asia Pajkowski, who self-funded the single-handed sea journey, completed her bold round the world trip by passing her original start point at Plymouth Breakwater. FanFan then docked at Mayflower Marina where Asia was welcomed by family, friends and supporters, many of whom travelled especially from Poland, including TV crew from TVN channel.
Charles Bush MD at Mayflower Marina said “We are delighted to welcome Asia Pajkowska and FanFan safely back to Mayflower Marina after they set sail from our pontoons on 23rd September 2018. To be the first female Polish sailor to successfully complete a solo, non-stop, unsupported circumnavigation is testimony not only to her abilities as a sailor, but also to her mental and physical courage. Asia, we salute you! We are very proud that Asia should have chosen our marina as the start and end point for her epic voyage. This is the second time in as many years that we have hosted a Polish circumnavigator. In May 2018, Szymon Kuczynski returned from a solo, non-stop, unsupported circumnavigation in a after spending 270 days at sea in a 23ft yacht”.
Fanfan was designed as a ‘one-off’ by Dick Zaal in 1985, originally for the TWOSTAR race. Asia prepared for her daring voyage with FanFan over a four month period in Gdansk, Poland. The yacht was installed with both a 2nd autopilot and a hydro-generaton ahead of the record breaking trip.
Asia said “FanFan’s current owner, German Sailor Uwe Roettgerring kindly loaned me the yacht to help me realise my dream to sail single-handed, non-stop around the world. Ten years ago I sailed a 28ft Mantra Asia but was forced to stop in South Africa to avoid a big gale. This time I was determined to finish the circumnavigation”.
Although Asia experienced a number of beautiful sailing days on her trip, she also faced a number of challenges during her record breaking voyage. Confronted with a series of nasty gales, she had to steer by hand for 14 hours when her autopilot stopped working after being hit by a huge wave before Cape Horn. Asia also broke her ribs after being thrown across the cockpit and landing on a solar panel bracket. Her persistence and determination saw her going up a mast to retrieve a jib halliard, diving to the bottom of her boat to clean off goose barnacles and changing and repairing mainsails.
Asia said of her trip “It has been a life changing journey; I only got frustrated when there was no wind and perhaps when my boat gas installation failed and I had to cook on a small portable heater! I don’t mind my own company, so I’ve never felt lonely. I am so happy to have achieved my childhood dream. The whole trip was an adventure of a lifetime”
Find out more on Asia's website.