'I knew I might not survive the night' Solo sailor trying to break around-Australia record reveals how she almost died in an Antarctic storm

  • Solo sailor Lisa  Blair almost died when she attempted a trip around Antarctica
  • But she has now embarked on another death-defying mission around Australia 
  • She says the feat of solo sailing is much more than most people understand

By Brittany Chain For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:42 EDT, 20 October 2018 | Updated: 01:42 EDT, 20 October 2018

Despite almost dying during an Antarctic storm while out at sea, solo sailor Lisa Blair has embarked on another death-defying mission in the hopes of breaking a national record. 

Ms Blair was attempting to become the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica when strong winds and near freezing weather savaged her sail boat. 

She was in a race against time in pure darkness to free the masthead before the sharp metal tore through the fiberglass and sunk the boat.

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Despite almost dying during an arctic storm while out at sea, solo sailor Lisa Blair has embarked on another death-defying mission in the hopes of breaking a national record

Despite almost dying during an arctic storm while out at sea, solo sailor Lisa Blair has embarked on another death-defying mission in the hopes of breaking a national record

'I had to come to terms with the fact I might not survive the night,' Ms Blair told 9News.

Eventually, she completed the task and set her sights on Cape Town, where she would get her repairs and replenish herself.

She suffered from hypothermia, stress and sleep deprivation during the trip, but to earn the world record, she was expected to return to the location of her near-death experience before continuing on the journey. 

But with a taste for adventure, Ms Blair has embarked on yet another perilous journey, this time hoping to become the first woman to sail around the entire coast of Australia.

Ms Blair was attempting to become the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica when strong winds and near freezing weather savaged her sail boat

Ms Blair was attempting to become the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica when strong winds and near freezing weather savaged her sail boat

The 33-year-old set sail from Rushcutters Bay in Sydney for the non-stop, unassisted and solo voyage around the nation on Saturday.

For the duration of the trip, she will be required to sleep in 20-minute intervals to avoid any accidents.

Ms Blair will also be required to keep a journal of her moods and complete reactive tests twice daily to monitor her cognitive functioning.

'People have an image of champagne on deck in sunny weather,' she said.

'But it's not like that. Solo sailing is a lot of hard work, uncomfortable sea sickness and extreme fatigue.'

The 33-year-old set sail from Rushcutters Bay in Sydney for the non-stop, unassisted and solo voyage around the nation on Saturday

The 33-year-old set sail from Rushcutters Bay in Sydney for the non-stop, unassisted and solo voyage around the nation on Saturday

 

 

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Solo sailor trying to break around-Australia record reveals how she almost died in Antarctic storm 

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