Born in 1939 (82 years young), Jon Sanders AO OBE, this week completed his 11th solo circumnavigation of the globe. This week’s column will bring you some of the stats from this iconic WA yachtsman’s career and life whilst out enjoying the big blue.

1970 - First trip the opposite way (East to West), 1981-82 – Double non-stop solo trip via the Southern Ocean, 1986-88 –Triple non-stop solo trip (657 days).

Guinness Book of Records:
• Longest period alone at sea: 419 days (Broken in 2010 by Reid Stowe – USA)
• Longest non-stop distance: 71,023 nautical miles (131,535 km)
• First solo sailor continuously at sea twice around the world
• First solo sailor to round the five southernmost Capes twice, and again on one voyage

Jon couldn’t do this alone and along his journey there are countless people and supporters helping him along the way. Needless to say, the most influential have been his vessels.

Parry Endeavour purchased for Sanders by Kevin Parry (America's Cup – 1987), designed by Perth naval architect Phil Curran and now stands in the WA Maritime Museum at an impressive angle to replicate a wave Sanders survived. Parry Endeavour earnt 15 World Records over her sailing career with Jon.

Perie Banou an S&S34 built by the Swarbrick brothers and used in the double circumnavigation with an additional 12 World Records ratified by the Guinness Book of Records in 1983.

Perie Banou II an almost 50-year-old S&S39 competed in the Sydney to Hobart along with several other adventures before aiding Sanders on his 10th and now 11th solo circumnavigation.

Let the records continue to fall at the bow of this amazing and inspiring team.

The latest adventure was for an additional cause. He sampled the world’s oceans for micro-plastics, sending the samples to Curtin Uni for analysis.

An unprecedent flotilla of fellow well wishing sailors, sponsors, family and friends welcomed Jon Sanders home last weekend on his last round the world circumnavigation.

Or is it his last ………..

Visit noplasticwaste.org/jon-sanders or jonsanders.com to learn more out this living icon of WA sailing.

Images Credit: Bernie Kaaks