Stanley Paris: Retracing Dodge Morgan’s route

American Stanley Paris is about to solo circumnavigate the earth. On November 30, Paris will depart his hometown of St. Augustine, Florida on the occasion of the nation’s oldest city celebrating its 450th anniversary. The plan is to set a new record (St. Augustine to St. Augustine around the world solo, unassisted and non-stop), but he’s hoping to accomplish much more.

It was in 1986 when American Dodge Morgan became the first American to sail solo around the globe with no stops. Morgan, sailing his Ted Hood designed 60-foot American Promise, lowered the record to 150 days, 1 hour and 6 minutes, beating British sailor Chay Blyth, who took 292 days to accomplish the same feat in 1971.

Morgan, who began and finished his circumnavigation in Bermuda, also bettered the fastest solo circumnavigation that permitted stopping: the 159-day voyage of Philippe Jeantot of France in 1982-83 in a four-leg, three-stop singlehanded race that started and finished in Newport (Jeantot’s time did not include the days he spent in port).

For Paris, he plans to retrace Moran’s route, sailing his purpose built 63-foot Farr-designed Kiwi Spirit. From St. Augustine, Paris will sail north east to Bermuda, round it (without stopping) and will complete his circumnavigation in the same manner. Paris estimates to break Morgan’s record by 30 days.

The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) will be officiating the attempt. They will also be sealing off his engine and fuel tanks as Paris seeks to be the first to “complete” a green record using no hydrocarbons. And while the WSSRC does not monitor age records, if successful, Paris (age 76 years, 08/13/37) will become the oldest to complete the solo, unassisted and non-stop challenge. That current reference is held by Jean Socrates (USA), who completed her circumnavigation this year at age 70.