Tokyo, June 4: Japanese ocean adventurer Kenichi Horie on Saturday became world’s oldest person to sail solo non-stop across the Pacific.
The 83-year-old Japanese reached the waters off the Kii Peninsula in western Japan at 2:39 am (local time), after spending more than two months crossing the world’s largest body of water, CNN reported.
He said, “Don’t let your dreams just stay as dreams. Have a goal and work towards achieving this and a beautiful life awaits.”
He had set his sail on his 990 kg and 19-foot long sailboat ‘Suntory Mermaid Ill’ from San Francisco, California on March 27.
CNN quoted his as saying that some parts of the journey were challenging but he checked in with his family every day by calling them on his satellite phone. “If I didn’t call at least once a day they’d worry.”
He said, “I’m very happy that I was able to return home without major problems. I’m grateful for the support I received from you all.”
He, however, made no port calls during his journey.
The sailboat had used solar panels for electricity needs on board.
According to Kyodo News, the voyage traced a similar route to the one he made 60 years ago when he became the first yachtsman to cross the Pacific alone with no port calls, but in reverse.
At the age of 23, Hories had sailed to the West Coast city from Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, in around 90 days, carrying no passport.
The journey became famous and he even wrote a bestseller based on it.
(UNI)
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