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Jon Sanders’ 11th world circumnavigation attempt stalls after engine trouble in QLD

The West Australian
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Sailing legend Jon Sanders is circumnavigating the globe.
Camera IconSailing legend Jon Sanders is circumnavigating the globe. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

Sailing legend Jon Sanders is so close, yet so far from completing his 11th world circumnavigation after becoming unexpectedly stuck in Bundaberg.

But it’s not because of COVID-19 — his boat engine is broken.

The 81-year-old yachtsman arrived in Bundaberg 15 kilograms lighter and nursing a couple of suspected broken ribs after a rough trip from Tahiti, which saw the boat flood with water and storms throw him around.

Because he’d been alone at sea for 34 days, he was granted a quarantine exemption into Queensland and will stay there until his boat, the Perie Banou II, is fixed, which is expected to cost around $40,000.

The veteran yachtsman left for his round-the-world trip just over a year ago, and has been taking ocean samples for Curtin University, which is testing ocean water for microplastics. Mr Sanders will continue taking samples once he’s able to set sail again, where he will make his way back to Fremantle to finish his voyage.

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