Halfway mark passed in Australian Solo Circumnavigation Record attempt

8:20 PM Fri 29 Jul 2011 GMT

'Bruce Arms on his Big Wave Rider' .

Bruce Arms, experienced solo sailor, has reached the half-way mark in his world-record attempt to sail around Australia non-stop, solo and unassisted in under 42 days.

On Thursday evening, Bruce, in his 14 metre catamaran Big Wave Rider, was 60 nautical miles south-west of Carnarvon, and 62 hours ahead of the existing record.

The light winds of the last few days have been replaced by fresh sailing breezes and Big Wave Rider is again making good speed down the West Australian coastline.

And the light breezes will be gone for some time. Both Big Wave Rider and a series of lows from South America are converging at the bottom of Western Australia.

Winds from 30-35 knots with squalls up to 55 knots are expected overnight on Thursday and again on the weekend as Big Wave Rider approaches Cape Leeuwin.

Bruce's experience in three Solo Trans-Tasman Races has readied him for such conditions which are part of sailing in the high latitudes of the Southern Ocean at this time of the year.

'I've had time during the recent days of slow sailing to check the boat out thoroughly' said Bruce. 'I've inspected my Para-Drogue sea brake and have readied warps for slowing Big Wave Rider down if necessary in extreme swells'.

Although making slow progress at times this last week, Bruce is still on schedule to complete the circumnavigation in about 35 days.

Follow Bruce Arms journey in Big Waver Rider via Addcom Contact Solutions Website .

by Terry Travers