Paris: ‘It’s been quite an adventure’

Dr Stanley Paris admitted the damage to his Kiwi Spirit boat was worse than he thought after arriving in Cape Town.

Paris, a former Bermuda hotelier, aborted his round-the-world record bid after boat designers advised him against carrying on after Spirit sustained significant damage.

Paris, 76, was attempting to become the oldest and fastest person to sail solo around world, trying to beat Dodge Morgan’s mark of 150 days.

He made promising progress after crossing the start line off St David’s Lighthouse but the record remained out of reach and Paris has admitted he will not try again having already asked enough of his family.

In his final blog of the journey, he wrote: “It was a rough entry to Cape Town, as a gale blew from the south east and winds were consistent at some 35-40 miles per hour. 

“There was, in addition, a great deal of shipping traffic rounding the Cape, going from and to Europe or Asia. 

“When approaching land, there is a fear of over-sleeping and ending up on the rocks. I was awake for  36 hours, given the winds, traffic and fast approaching land.

“The boat is now being given the attention it needs. Sails off to the loft, boom to the spar makers and me to a hotel.  The damage to the boat is even more extensive than I had thought and could be seen from the dock. But all will be taken care of as there are excellent facilities and talent here in Cape Town. All are agreed that coming to port was a wise choice. 

“(Wife) Catherine and I will be touring a wine district today and flying home this weekend. Delivery crew will bring the boat back to the USA. It’s been quite an adventure.”