Kanui & Russell setting off on their travels from Alaska

Kanui & Russell setting off on their travels from Alaska

I was recently contacted by Russell Heath, who completed a circumnavigation from 1985 to 1989 with V106 Kainui: one of only 4 Vertues to sail round the world.  He sailed westwards, from Alaska, crossing the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Suez, Mediterranean, and Atlantic, ending in Maine.

Sighting the Pitcairn Islands, after crossing the Pacific from Equador

Sighting the Pitcairn Islands, after crossing the Pacific from Equador

He gave an excellent talk about his journey at the New York Explorer’s Club in 2013, which I highly recommend listening to; he is a truly brilliant speaker:

Russell said he is will be putting up a site dedicated to the trip as “it’s time to write up the story”.  So, watch this space for further details.

In the meantime, he maintains “a fitful blog” which you can reach on this link

There is also a slightly different ending to the one he finished with at the NY Explorer’s Club talk, which ‘gives a better ending’ (Russell’s words), which you can see here:

Russell said that Kaunui is now owned by Steve Garrand and she lies in Belfast, Maine, USA. She’s apparently in good shape and looking for a new owner.