Woman's bid for sailing record
At the age of 69, Jeanne Socrates from Ealing is aiming to become the first woman to sail around the world alone, nonstop and unassisted.
Round-the-world sailor beset by technical problems
The 70-year-old is putting a brave face on a host of technical issues, having had problems with wind instruments, her electronic compass and the autopilot rudder reference unit.
"Anything screwed or bolted tries to come undone with the constant motion," she said, admitting that - at times - she was "sailing by the seat of her pants".
She is judging the wind strength according to the traditional Beaufort Scale, a system that estimates wind speeds based on the conditions at sea, and dealing with her sails according to the boat's behaviour.
She said: "If we're heeling too much, it's time to reef down - simple! Telling the wind direction is no problem in daylight - I can read the ripples on the water - not a problem!"
More top news
-
Police create dispersal zones around south London raves
The unlicensed events unfolded on Saturday night at Clapham Common and Tooting Bec Common.
-
Second man dies in River Thames drowning
A 37 year old man who was taken to hospital after getting into difficulty in a stretch of water near Maidenhead has died.
-
Teenager jailed for throwing six year old boy off Tate balcony
Jonty Bravery, who is mentally ill, has been jailed for 15 years after throwing a six year old boy from the Tate modern balcony.