Rough seas force British sailor to abandon record-breaking trip launched in Victoria B.C.

A British grandmother who was hoping to break the record for the oldest person to sail solo around the world has had to abandon her attempt because of bad weather. 

Jeanne Socrates, 74, set sail from Victoria B.C. in early November. It was her second attempt in as many months to do so, her first try having also been hampered by strong winds that damaged her boat. 

Her friend and fellow sailor, Charlotte Gann, said Socrates was getting "knocked around" by winds up to 43 knots. 

"She's gone into ... another series of gales and storms that the accumulated effect of them on the boat is that it's wearing on her gear," Gann said.

"She's so intensely disappointed but it's a prudent and difficult decision to pull the plug on this kind of adventure."

Serious damage

Gann said the wear includes a water-damaged generator-set, which powers the batteries on the boat, and a gooseneck (how the boom attaches to the mast) that could potentially snap. 

"When you're out in the middle of the ocean sailing the boat 24 hours a day, that can be catastrophic," she said. 

"She's really skillful and she has all of the intelligence and all of the ability to solve all these problems on the fly, but if you don't have the right equipment with you it can be pretty hard to overcome." 

Socrates is now heading towards San Diego, and is about 100 nautical miles away.

As for next steps, Gann said Socrates is likely going to head south to the coast of Mexico for winter to spend time with friends. 

Gann said Socrates will attempt the voyage again next year, and will have the same level of support from the Victoria Yacht Club as she has in the past. 

"We'll be behind her again and we'll be right there with her when she makes her next attempt. And we'll do everything we can to make it as successful as we're able to," Gann said.