I embarked on a solo round-the-world challenge known as “LONG ROAD 2018 2019,” sailing around the three capes without stopping.

The adventure took a dramatic turn on February 24, near New Zealand, when a powerful storm struck with winds reaching 40/50 knots and waves towering between 10 to 15 meters. Trapped inside my boat, a massive wave crashed, flipping it over, breaking parts, and flooding it. Despite the chaos, I was fortunate to escape with minor injuries – some shoulder pain and a bump on the head.

In the midst of this risky situation, I activated my GlobalFix V6 EPIRB and reached out to ground support through Iridium. Rescue New Zealand promptly initiated a rescue mission, with the Lindanger, an oil tanker, altering its course to come to my aid.

Alone and stranded, I endured a challenging night, huddled on a makeshift seat above the waterline. The next day, facing worsening conditions, I decided to board a life raft, armed with my beacon, and alerted my contact on land.

The Lindanger, battling fog and rough seas, struggled to locate me. Quick thinking came to the rescue when I used an aluminum survival blanket to increase visibility.

After some attempts, the tanker finally approached, and a clever sailor’s use of a rocket lance bridged the gap. The crew successfully brought me on board. Thirteen days later, they dropped me off at Punta Arenas, where the Chilean navy and the French consul took charge of my care.

Despite the tragic end of my sailboat, a vessel I had lived on for 35 years, sailed more than 200,000 miles, and circumnavigated the three capes, I remain undeterred. Currently refurbishing an old steel sailboat, I plan to set sail again, this time with a crew, heading to Antarctica in 2025, equipped with a new distress beacon!