Anne forced to abandoned voyage

Introduction

10.12.08 - After her boat is damaged.

© Anne Quemere

A month in to her epic 4,349 mile voyage to cross the Pacific Ocean solo, in a kite boat, French Ocean Kite Surfer and BLUE Ambassador, Anne Quemere has been forced to abandoned her voyage.

Almost half way across the Pacific Ocean, the kite system onboard, Anne's 5.5 meter boat, the Oceankite was badly damaged last weekend when a freak gust of wind tore the fixing points from the deck. This has left Anne with a lack of confidence in being able to finish the voyage with the remaining working kite equipment left onboard the boat.

Having entered the doldrums 10 days ago, Anne has been becalmed for the majority of this time and the forecast shows no immediate change in these conditions.

Anne comments on her difficult decision: "Since the shock onboard the boat over the weekend, I feel weak and I no longer have the confidence in my equipment, or even myself. Without wind, I cannot advance and in one night alone, I lost all the miles that I had accumulated over the previous week, as I was pushed backwards by the oncoming winds".

This has not been an easy decision for Anne. The Pacific has won this round but Anne will now doubt return to the Pacific at a later date, to finish what she started.

For further information on Anne Quemere and her Pacific Kite Surfing attempt, please go to her website at www.anne-quemere.com