Josh Ghyselincks

For sailing solo 2900 miles in 24 days from Mexico to the Marquesas in Maistral, an Arpege 29, built by Michael Dufour in 1967 (29 foot LOA). Maistral is very basic. She now has no engine – just an indifferent 9 HP outboard – no windvane, and very little navigation or communication equipment. VC Tony Gooch, himself a solo non-stop circumnavigator, added, “Josh uses the poled-out storm jib method for self-steering … plus bits of string and shock cord. Josh’s voyage is taking him from Victoria across the Pacific to New Zealand (sometimes solo, sometimes with crew). What he really wants is to find a single-handed girl going his way.” Trevor Leek, current owner of Jester after which the award is named, added: “Josh has my blessing – I’m particularly impressed by the lack of self-steering” (Most appropriately, Jester is steered by a vintage Haslar SP windvane).