Saito Minoru who was awarded the Cruising Club of America’s Blue Water Medal in 2007, is about to go off round the world solo, non- stop for the eigth time, this time westabout, at the age of 74.

He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the ‘Oldest Person to Sail Around the World (Solo and Non-stop)’. He was 71 years old at the time. Few single-handers have attempted such a feat and certainly none near Minoru’s age ? when he finishes this voyage he will be well into his 75th year. Minoru was also inducted in 2006 into the Single-handed Sailing Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

The plan for his latest adventure is an October 2008 departure from Yokohama, a westwardly circumnavigation of 26,500 nautical miles, and arrival back in Yokohama at the end of May 2009.

Saito’s return is meant to coincide with the 150th Anniversary of the establishment of Yokohama Port, which opened up the Japanese nation to Western trade. It is also the birthplace of small craft pleasure sailing in Japan.

For more info see: www.saito8.com/index