Konyukhov crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Fedor Konyukhov: After landing, I slept for a very long time - already five hours! With a happy ending

MULULABA / Australia /, May 31. / Special Correspondent ITAR-TASS Pavel Vanichkin /. Russian traveler Fyodor Konyukhov reached the coast of Australia. Thus, he managed to cross alone in a rowboat without entering ports and outside assistance. The next project of the Russian traveler will be a hot air balloon flight around the Earth ...

From the shores of Chile to Australia

Konyukhov started on December 22, 2013 from the port of Concon (Chile) at 09:15 am Chilean time, overcame over 17 thousand km on a boat called "Turgoyak" and finished in the town of Muloolaba (Queensland) at 13:13 Eastern time. the coast of Australia. "Turgoyak" has a length of 9 meters, a width of 1.8 meters, the weight of its body made of carbon fiber is 250 kg, weight with a full load - 850 kg.

As the International Society of Ocean Rowers reported from London, Konyukhov made the trip in 160 days. According to the society, the previous best achievement of crossing the Pacific Ocean in a solo rowboat in the southern half of it was 273 days.

This result was shown by the English 52-year-old rower Jim Shekdar, who started on June 29, 2000 from the Peruvian port of Ilo. Jim also walked to and finished on March 30, 2001 on North Stradbroke Island.

Initially, Konyukhov planned to cross the Pacific Ocean in 200 days and nights. It was reported that the traveler had to make 4 million strokes to cross the ocean.

Flying around the earth

"The land is not yet very solid," said the correspondent who set foot on the shore of Konyukhov. ITAR-TASS. His very first steps were indeed a little hesitant, but literally in a few moments he was already able to walk without assistance.

After the triumphant finish, answering a question about plans for the future, Konyukhov said that he planned to make a non-stop flight around the Earth in a balloon. He intends to start in Australia, fly from west to east approximately along the 40th latitude and finish again in Australia. At the same time, the traveler categorically refused to say when this might happen. “I have been traveling for more than 40 years,” Konyukhov recalled. “Before, I did it mainly for scientific purposes and for sports interests, but now I am thinking about the younger generation, to whom I want to instill a spirit of romance. I want people to dream more.”

Answering the question of the correspondent. ITAR-TASS, about the difficulties on the way, Konyukhov said: "At first it was difficult, and then even more difficult." “The main difficulty of this kind of test is its monotony, - the traveler continued the story. - Every day I tried to row for 18 hours, slept for 20-25 minutes, but no more than two and a half hours a day. - On the other hand, I I walked with God's help - all the biggest hurricanes passed me, the boat never capsized, I was helped by the following currents.

With a happy ending

I sent a greeting to Konyukhov, which was read by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Australia Vladimir Morozov, who took part in the meeting of the Russian traveler in the city of Mooloolaba. About five hundred people gathered to meet the famous Russian traveler on the beach of the city - his friends, local residents, tourists, journalists.

"I am glad to congratulate you on the successful completion of the expedition" On a rowboat across the Pacific Ocean ", - the president's greeting says. - Your colleagues, scientists and experts, members of the Russian Geographical Society, and maritime enthusiasts from many countries have closely followed this unique trip. courage and perseverance, extraordinary human and professional qualities, you have withstood difficult tests, conquered the water element. "

“Today we can say with confidence that the first solo trip in a rowboat from the coast of Chile to Australia was successful. And you continued the wonderful traditions of the great Russian explorers and travelers who made a great contribution to the study of the World Ocean. I wish you all the best and fulfillment of new ones. plans ", - said in the President's greeting.

The 63-year-old priest of the Russian Orthodox Church is the first person in the world who managed to reach the five poles of our planet: North (three times), South, Pole of relative inaccessibility in the Arctic Ocean, Everest (height pole) and Cape Horn (yachtsmen's pole). Konyukhov became the first Russian who managed to fulfill the Seven Summits of the World program - to climb the highest peak of every continent. He managed to cross the now two oceans in a rowboat. In 2002, he single-handedly crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a rowing boat "URALAZ", establishing - 3 thousand nautical miles in 46 days.

On account of his as many as four voyages around the world, made in splendid isolation.

How to cross the ocean

The first time is always the hardest, especially if you are a teenager. The future famous traveler decided to conquer the sea at the age of fifteen. The place for the experiment was the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov, and the instrument was an ordinary fishing boat, equipped only with oars.

True, according to the original plan, Fedor was going to cross the sea on a boat of his own manufacture. But then an angry parent intervened and took away the homemade product. But the young traveler was not taken aback and "borrowed" a fishing boat from the village council. Konyukhov claims that he then swam across the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov.

Later, he realized that serious travel needs a good one. And after the end of the service he went to work as a sailor in the Baltic rescue fleet, and later went on fishing trawlers.

Most likely, Konyukhov did not forget his youthful adventure with a boat in the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov and decided to conquer the ocean in the same way. The traveler successfully implemented his idea, and even repeated it in two oceans. He began in 2002 with the conquest on the Uralaz boat.

The development of the seven-meter vessel was entrusted to Philip Morrison. The body was made of carbon fiber and Canadian cedar wood, and a figurine of the sponsor's Ural car was attached to the nose.

The navigation point was equipped with a stationary and manual GPS device, an automatic positioning system, an electronic compass and a radar warning of approaching ships. The life support system was powered by two batteries powered by solar panels. They also provided for the ability to replenish supplies with rainwater.

In October 2002, Konyukhov started off and set off for a solo across the Atlantic by the Columbus route. He reached the island in record time, having spent just over 46 days crossing the ocean.

Without a sail and without an engine, armed with only two pairs of oars, Fyodor Konyukhov managed to cross the Pacific Ocean. Preparing for the trip, he independently created sketches of a unique boat and entrusted its creation to English specialists. Initially the ship was named "K9", but later it was renamed "Turgoyak".

The nine-meter carbon fiber boat was divided into two parts: a compartment with a miniature galley and a navigation unit (equipped with the latest equipment) and a living compartment in which part of the area is reserved for navigation equipment. Electricity for household needs was generated by solar panels, which also served as a water desalter.

According to the plan, Konyukhov's boat was supposed to go from Chile to in six months, without calling at ports and stopping. The Turgoyak left Concon on December 14, 2013 and headed for the waters of Peru. On the way, he contacted the support group several times. In mid-January, Konyukhov survived the storm, but was able to continue his journey.

From Peru, the traveler went to the Australian city of Mooloolaba, the end point of a solo expedition. The whole trip was done in 160 days, the boat withstood all the tests of bad weather, and its owner believes that he was lucky to get to his destination so successfully.

On the way, he caught squid, saw a coconut and tried to get rid of the annoying one. He also set the world record for the fastest crossing of the Pacific Ocean and became the first citizen to make such a trip.

Around the world and regattas

In this circumnavigation, Konyukhov discovered the wonderful world of the oceans, circled Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. Having closed the planetary circle, the traveler brought the yacht back to Australia in June 1991.

Konyukhov's second circumnavigation began in March 1993. For this trip, he built a yacht "Formosa" in Taiwan and immediately hit the road. The voyage took seven months, and in 1994 the traveler dropped at the starting point.

In 2004, the indefatigable Fedor Konyukhov started from Falmouth, England, paved the way to the island of Tasmania and returned to Falmouth in 2005. His large yacht “Trading Network“ Scarlet Sails ”(85 feet long) was the first of her class to circumnavigate Cape Horn. From December to January of the following year, he sailed on the same vessel, but with a Russian crew on board.

In addition to solo round-the-world voyages, the traveler took part in single regattas. His name can be found in the list of participants in the round-the-world regatta "Around Alone", held in 1998-1999.

Konyukhov took off on a yacht of the Open 60 class "Modern Humanitarian University". This voyage is considered the third round-the-world voyage of the famous Russian traveler.

At the helm of the same yacht, Konyukhov also competed in the French regatta. The ships had to make a round-the-world passage without stops and calls at ports.

It took Konyukhov one hundred and two more days to circumnavigate Antarctica, participating in the Australian Antarctica Cup in 2007-2008. In these races, he took part on his large yacht "Trading network" Alye Parusa ".

Fedor Konyukhov is constantly making new plans and developing new routes for sea voyages. For 2017, he has planned more than just a regatta or a trip around the world. The traveler swung at the Mariana Trench, he plans to sink to the bottom in a bathyscaphe and spend several days there alone.

It started in December 2013, and at the end of May 2014. the next expedition of the explorer-traveler Fyodor Konyukhov has come to an end. On a rowing boat "K9 Turgoyak", alone, he went to conquer the largest ocean in the world, which he finally managed to do. The 62-year-old sailor crossed the Pacific Ocean from South America to Australia (more than 9000 miles, 17 thousand km) autonomously, without calling any islands, in 160 days. He became the first person who managed to paddle the Pacific "from continent to continent", and even in record time. In accordance with the task of the SGA, the constant partner of Fedor Konyukhov on expedition projects, experiments were carried out on the route to study the psychophysical capabilities of a person and train neuroplasticity in extreme conditions.
The expedition was supported by the Russian Geographical Society. The information sponsor of the project is the TV channel "The First Educational

September 25, 2013

Recently traveler-explorer Fyodor Konyukhov returned from Southampton (England), where a 9-meter rowing boat of original design was presented at the international exhibition of the Boat Show. Built according to a special design, this boat is designed for long-term active stay in the extreme ocean environment in the typical conditions of the world's greatest ocean - the Pacific. It does not look like the traditional boat or yala we are used to. Most likely, its distant prototype is a kayak, but not with one, but with two oars inserted into the oarlocks. With two inflated pressurized compartments, fore and aft, sort of like tiny cabins, this boat is theoretically unsinkable. In the event of a coup, thanks to the float cabins, it must independently return to its normal position. Without any special exaggeration, it can, perhaps, be compared with a spaceship, and the entire expedition with a flight into space. The goal is to paddle across the vast ocean in a completely autonomous mode, akin to a flight to Mars. And it is unclear who will find it easier - an astronaut in a distant orbit or Fedor in the endless ocean.

The previous, 11-year-old, boat crossing across the Atlantic Ocean brought Fedor not only the glory of a record holder - no one faster than him, until this year, crossed the Atlantic Ocean on oars, but also the inner confidence in the possibility of more for himself. Despite the fact that he always understood and now understands that all, not so many attempts by daredevils to conquer the Pacific Ocean in this way ended in vain, sometimes - tragically. Fedor's trump cards are experience, knowledge of the Ocean, exceptional ability to survive in incredible conditions and emergency situations, concentration and dedication.

That is why he developed the technical assignment for the boat himself, and entrusted the construction, based on the latest technologies, to recognized craftsmen and experienced shipbuilders from England. There is nothing superfluous on it, a spartan way of life awaits the rower. Paddles, navigation devices, a satellite phone, a computer, video cameras, a portable salt water distiller, a six-month supply of freeze-dried products, a fishing rod, a shark-driving lance — that's all his farm.

After the demonstration of the boat at the exhibition - the only exhibit from Russia - it was again transported to the shipyard for the final adjustment and installation of equipment. On board it is placed the logo of the TV company SSU TV (TV channel "First educational") - the information partner of the project.

17.10.2013

The preparatory stage of Fyodor Konyukhov's expedition project "On a boat across the Pacific Ocean" has been completed. At Mike Wood's shipyard in the village of Benem-on-Crouch, which is a hundred kilometers from London, construction and installation work on the original boat of formula K9 ("Konyukhov - 9 m") has been completed. Now she will be loaded into a container and sent by motor ship to the launch site - in the South American city of Valparaiso (Chile) on the east coast of the Pacific Ocean.

The main contractor for the implementation of Fyodor Konyukhov's design idea is energetic Charlie Pitcher. Charlie is the record-holder among rowers in crossing the Atlantic oars, who improved Konyukhov's record result (46 days) earlier this year by one and a half weeks, which he showed earlier on the Uralaz boat. At the same time, he is an experienced shipbuilder who has built more than one boat for the ocean extreme using the latest technologies. That is why Fedor entrusted him with the creation of the rowing car of his dreams. The nine-meter carbon fiber K9 with Kevlar bottom protection weighs only 250 kg and can withstand not only the impact of ocean waves, but also collisions with reefs. The carrying capacity of the boat is 1 ton: these are products, and equipment, and equipment, and the weight of the rower himself. Despite the impressive size and only one pair of working oars (there is no sail or engine on it for fundamental reasons), the boat can reach a speed of several knots, that is, move at the speed of a bicycle. The number of strokes that a Russian sailor must make on the route is expressed in seven figures.

“According to our calculations, the boat should pass at least thirty miles a day,” says Fyodor Konyukhov, “that is, you need to do 50 km to meet the planned deadline ... Every day you will need to work on oars for 11 hours.

At the end of November, Fedor will go to Valparaiso to meet the container. The start is scheduled for the first decade of December, at which time summer begins in the Southern Hemisphere.

07.11.2013

On November 5 in Chelyabinsk, and on November 6 in neighboring Miass, press conferences were held by Fedor Konyukhov and his Ural partners in the project "On a rowing boat - across the Pacific Ocean", at which the press and the public were reported on the results of the preparatory stage of the new expedition.

Not far from Miass, on Lake Turgoyak, the legendary Uralaz boat is kept - the prototype of the new K-9, on which the explorer-traveler intends to cross the Pacific Ocean. During his short visit to the popular recreation center "Golden Beach", the trademark of Turgoyak, Fedor met with the guys from the "School of Travelers" he created here, where he held a master class with future trackers and sailors. Young travelers specially for this meeting composed and sang a song dedicated to the famous Russian with a guitar.

19 .11.2013 g.

Both the project itself and all its participants moved to Chile.

The first person who managed to cross the Pacific Ocean on a fragile boat was Fernand Magellan. He was not Chilean, but on the shores of a distant strait named after him, in the Chilean city of Punta Arenas, there is a monument to this brave sailor.

More than one century has passed, and now the Ocean is being challenged. And again, not Chilean, but from the Chilean shores. It is symbolic that the program of training and preparation for the start on a rowboat across the Pacific Ocean, the Russian Fedor Konyukhov, decided to start precisely from the area of \u200b\u200bTierra del Fuego, once discovered by Magellan.

20.11.2013

A team of project participants led by Fyodor Konyukhov, who covered a distance of 15,000 km in two days - similar to that of an ocean boat - and did not forget to bow to the legendary Magellan in Punta Arenas, jumped on a tiny Twinwater across the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego and landed in the southernmost town of the Earth - Puerto Williams. There is a Chilean military base here. There is nowhere else to fly - if only to Antarctica. From here to the southern tip of America, the famous Cape Horn, one and a half hundred kilometers.

It is to this cape that Fedor, who has started training, intends to go on a yacht in the coming days to test himself again and gain spiritual energy from the Orthodox cross with the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which he installed there, at the junction of the oceans, three years ago. In the upcoming rowing supermarathon, it is not so much the physical condition of the rower that is important, but the strength of the spirit, willful attitude. A week's hike around Cape Horn may help. The yacht will be provided by a local skipper.

Interesting and useful is the experience of the Yagan Indians who have lived from time immemorial on the islands of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and walked along the ocean straits and fjords on rowboats made of thick juniper bark. In the town of Lakutaya, which means "Black Bird Bay", Fedor got acquainted with the subjects of marine activities and the life of the yagan.

Despite the coming summer and blooming daisies and dandelions, snow is falling from the sky several times a day after the sun, a cold Antarctic wind is blowing, the mountains are hiding in clouds. Let's hope that the changeable weather will not disrupt the plans of Fedor and his comrades - very soon it will be necessary to meet the boat K9 in the port of Valparaiso.

November 27, 2013

If in the old days the Yagana Indians, sea nomads and the southernmost tribe of the planet walked between the islands of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago on fragile wooden boats, now the services of the local population and visiting guests who want to row are quite modern and comfortable plastic kayaks and canoes. Fedor Konyukhov, who appreciated the advantages of different models of training boats, did not fail to take advantage of this circumstance.

And on the 21st, the yacht "Pelagic Australus" with a dozen people on board, including Fedor, departed from Beagle Strait to the very tip of the South American continent - Cape Horn on the island of the same name. The transition lasted for several days. As a result, it was possible not only to bypass the treacherous cape from the west, but also to go ashore, visit the stele with the symbolic albatross, climb the lighthouse, and also install the Orthodox cross with the icon of Nicholas the Pleasant in the small chapel there. The icon of the patron saint of travelers and sailors Nicholas the Wonderworker Mysgornovsky with a sailing yacht in his hand was written by Fr. Fedor.

We did not have time to change the course to the opposite, as the weather began to deteriorate, a strong wind blew. Nevertheless, the main thing was done, and it was perceived by everyone as a good sign.
On November 26, Fedor Konyukhov said goodbye to the hospitable Puerto Williams and went to Valparaiso to meet his long-awaited boat.

01.12.2013

During the long transportation from England to Chile, the boat received minor damage. Almost a week was spent on their elimination in the yacht club of the town of Konkon near Valparaiso. The bottom was painted in several layers to prevent the active growth of mollusks on its surface, which increases the resistance of the water and, accordingly, slows down the boat.

On December 1, the first launch of the boat took place. On a sunny, moderately windy day, in a bay that opens out directly into the ocean, Fyodor Konyukhov and the technical manager, the famous ocean rower Simon Chok, plunged their oars into the waters of the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

It took several hours to check the stability of the boat, its driving performance, calibrating the compass and electronic navigation equipment. The tests were successful, the original design of the boat did not disappoint the expectations of its creators. A speed of more than 3 knots was reached - about 6 km / h. But it became clear how difficult it would be to break alone through the headwinds, waves and currents characteristic of this area of \u200b\u200bthe coastal waters of Chile.

The immediate task, in addition to loading products, equipment, installing and debugging equipment, is to study the direction of local currents and the wind rose to select the optimal start time. While the wind is blowing more from the ocean, and the reefs at the entrance to the bay create powerful circulating underwater currents, which it is better not to get into.

On the eve, a meeting of Chilean yacht captains with Fyodor Konyukhov took place in the wardroom campaign of the yacht club. The meeting was lively and interested, the Russian sailor surprised everyone with his large-scale plans and track record. During the presentation, a film was shown about the dog sledding expedition from the documentary cycle "Arctic-2013" of the "First Educational" TV channel.

And a day earlier, here, in the yacht club, Fedor met with the President of Chile, to whom the explorer showed his boat, told about the upcoming transoceanic passage and invited him to the start. One of the fundamental tasks that we managed to solve with the assistance of representatives of the Russian diplomatic corps is to obtain permission from the military authorities to launch a boat from the Chilean coast. Weather permitting, the start will take place on 12 December from the Konkona Yacht Club Marina.

07.12.2013

Chile shows an unusually keen interest in Fyodor Konyukhov's project. People constantly crowd around the boat in the yacht club - yachtsmen, journalists, TV people. A video report about Fedor and the upcoming passage was shown on the central Chilean channel "13", other channels, materials about the Russian traveler are published on the front pages of local newspapers.

In Santiago, at our embassy, \u200b\u200bFedor met with the Russian Ambassador to Chile, Mikhail Orlovets. We agreed to prepare a photographic exposition based on the project's materials for placement in the Russian Cultural Center, as well as to broadly show films about the explorer Fyodor Konyukhov to the Chilean public.

A memorable evening was held at the Rossotrudnichestvo Cultural Center, where representatives of the Russian diaspora and local residents gathered. Fedor Konyukhov introduced his team members, shared plans, answered numerous questions. Then they donated to the Russian community an icon of the Mother of God for installation in the chapel at the Russian Cultural Center, which was to be consecrated the next day. Nobody here expected such a gift, and it was perceived as God's providence.

Meanwhile, in Konkon, the daily painstaking work is going on to prepare the boat for the start. The yacht club is protected from direct ocean waves by a stone breakwater, but as soon as you go beyond it, you begin to feel the breath of the ocean. From here to the Australian Brisbane - 7,500 nautical miles, or about 14,000 km. Fedor prepares for the first step - the first miles will be especially difficult, as he will have to break away from the coast and walk past the reefs at the entrance to the bay. Every day he sits down at the oars and makes his way through the water area of \u200b\u200bthe bay to the turning cape and back. The rower and the boat gradually adjust, get used to each other - without harmony and mutual understanding, one cannot go to the ocean. Local fishermen and pelicans are watching with amazement the unusual boat slowly sailing past the lighthouse before their eyes.

12.12.2013

Having carefully analyzed the weather forecasts, Fedor Konyukhov decided to start on December 14. By this day, the excitement caused by the cyclone raging in the ocean on the supposed path of the boat should have subsided somewhat. Further, within a few days, the weather is expected to improve, which should contribute to the rower's separation from the treacherous coast with powerful currents and numerous reefs.

Throughout this day, the Russian sailor received congratulations on his birthday. On December 12, he turned 62 years old - an unusual age for travelers embarking on expedition projects like this one. Friends, captains from the yacht club, Russians living in Chile, and ordinary Chileans congratulated - everyone here knows about Fedor and his project, thanks to the press and television.

Many calls came from Russia, but, perhaps, the main congratulation was voiced by the Russian Ambassador to Chile Mikhail Orlovets, who specially arrived in Konkon for this purpose. He read out a greeting letter to Fedor Konyukhov from the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Geographical Society, Vladimir Putin. Fedor also invited the ambassador and, through him, the President of the Russian Federation to Australia - to meet him at the end of the transition.

12/14/2013

The last day before the start was the same as all the previous ones, in business and worries. The operation of the navigation and signaling equipment was checked, some products and previously unaccounted for little things were bought additionally. Fyodor spent almost all the time in the boat, he did not go out into the bay - it was restless there. Towards evening, Chilean customs officers appeared, then border guards (or rather, border guards), who made the necessary marks in Fyodor's documents and passport.

There was a crowd at the pier all the time, mostly compatriots. They thanked Fedor for the fact that he exists and instills in them a sense of confidence, pride for distant Russia. Congratulations on your past birthday, presented with gifts.

The team spent the evening together with Pyotr Mikhailovich Karpenko, who flew in from Moscow, President of SSU TV, an old friend and partner of Fyodor Konyukhov in various projects.

Early in the morning of December 14, when it was just getting light, the Russian explorer set off from the floating pier of the hospitable Konkona Yacht Club. Despite the early hour and cloudy weather, there were surprisingly many people seeing off. The go-ahead for the start at 6 hours 52 minutes was given by the consul of the Russian Federation who had arrived from Santiago. The first careful strokes, the first U-turn in the range of the marina, and now - the exit beyond the pier. Behind are the lighthouse, the forest of yacht masts and the anthill of the Konkon houses piling up on top of each other. Ahead is the ocean hidden in the morning fog, on the surface of which, as a reminder of the recent cyclone, a dead swell of one and a half meters in height is majestically and uniformly.

Confident paddling, and soon the boat's beacons disappear into the deep blue haze. No escort, except for the ship of the Chilean Armada (Navy). And only an hour later, as agreed, the yacht and two boats with the project participants, as well as the most persistent admirers, went out after the rower to finally wish him good luck on the traverse of Valparaiso. Pelicans and seagulls on the coastal cliffs, worried, calmed down.

The text of the telegram of the President of the Russian Federation:

« Dear Fedor Filippovich!

I congratulate you on your birthday and the beginning of a new page in your eventful biography - an expedition to the shores of Australia on a rowboat across the Pacific Ocean.

This unique project, supported by the Russian Geographical Society, your fellow travelers, famous researchers, caring and enthusiastic people, has no analogues in history. And, no doubt, it will attract the attention of the public, specialists, experts in nautical affairs.

You have more than once conquered the most difficult, inaccessible routes - the water element, mountain peaks, the North and South Poles. I am sure that the current campaign will be successful, will serve the honor and glory of Russia - a country that has written many bright pages in the chronicle of geographical discoveries.

I wish you good luck and all the best.

Good luck!

On the first day, Fedor rowed all day and all night, without closing his eyes, fighting the wind and currents. We managed to move 18 miles from the coast to the west, and 8 miles to the north.

12/18/2013

A boat with a shallow landing is easily vulnerable to side winds and headwinds. To somehow resist this, you need to constantly row and use the specially provided front keel rudder and an inserted aft centerboard. Control can be either automatic (autopilot) or manual.

The first day Fedor practically did not sleep, only rowed. The fog and drizzle did not pass, the night was very cold, only working with oars warmed us. There was no time for food - only coffee and hot chocolate from a thermos. A strong current at the exit of the bay dragged the boat northward,

It was possible to sleep in fits and starts only on the second day, when the wind changed direction and became more or less favorable. The echo-responder was buzzing all the time - here lies the main route of sea vessels entering Valparaiso, for which a nine-meter boat is like a chip. Only a locator can be seen when a special AIS device is turned on on it.

Due to the constant dense fog, the solar panels did not function. The main battery, which provided, first of all, the operation of the autopilot and signal lights, sat down on the second day. I had to limit power consumption and switch to backup power in the hope that the sun was about to appear.

The boat made a detour and, gradually moving away from the coast, went in a southwest direction. In three days of rowing and maneuvers, they covered about a hundred very difficult miles, and managed to get away from the mainland for fifty miles. Well, the moment of the start was well chosen - with minimal excitement, in a pause between cyclones constantly walking along the roaring forties and frantic fifties.

Communication with the outside world is provided through the Iridium satellite phone provided to Fedor by the Modern Humanitarian Academy. The coordinates are recorded and automatically transmitted to the interactive map via the Yellowbrick satellite tracking buoy.

All the project participants who were present at the launch of the boat, except for the main project coordinator Oskar Konyukhov, left Concon and returned from Chile to their homeland.

19.12.2013

On board the boat K9 ("Turgoyak") an abnormal situation arose - the power supply system failed. The primary and backup solar-charged batteries are out of order. Fedor Konyukhov did not manage to fix the problems on his own.

After telephone consultations with the coastal headquarters and the British designers, it was decided to tow the boat until Fedor went far into the ocean, back to Konkon to find out the reasons for the failure and restore the equipment to work.

December 23, 2013

Here's what happened. British designers installed the most modern lithium batteries on the boat, which have a large capacity and relatively low weight. But these batteries, charged by solar batteries, have some specific features in comparison with traditional helium batteries - they cannot be completely discharged. When the discharge level reaches 10% of the nominal capacity, they must be recharged, otherwise a very powerful impulse will be required for recovery, which no onboard power supplies can provide.

Fedor took off in cloudy weather and walked for three days in fog, fighting with the wind, with the Humboldt current and crossing the busy route of ocean vessels calling at the port of Valparaiso. Moving along the curve of the trajectory, he was forced to constantly use the autopilot, keep the navigation and radar equipment on, and the parking lights lit. All the time the echo responder was buzzing - huge ships passed by in the night and fog, for which a 9-meter boat was like a chip.

With an increased level of power consumption, the main batteries were discharged on the second day, then the backup one, but there was still no sun. The voltage control system malfunctioned, at some point the battery charge level crossed the critical level, and everything went out. It was not possible to restore the power supply system to work, and, therefore, it became meaningless to continue moving. After discussing the situation by satellite phone with the coastal headquarters, it was decided to return to Konkon. Fortunately, it was not possible to go far yet - only fifty miles to the coast (although about 80 were covered).

The yacht came to the rescue and towed the boat to the Konkona Yacht Club. All this happened on the day of Nicholas the Pleasant - it seems that it was he who prompted the sailor, at the very beginning of the journey, the right way out of this situation.

The analysis of the cause of the failures of the power supply system and the replacement of equipment took only three days. Instead of exotic batteries, they installed traditional ones. They are heavier, but, as experts believe, more reliable, and Fedor is familiar.

On the morning of December 22, Fedor Konyukhov again took up the oars and, crossing himself, rushed towards new, endless tests, directing his boat straight to the west. On this day, the Pacific Ocean, as if justifying its name, decided to present a gift to the rower - almost complete calm was established in the Valparaiso Bay.

May 30, 2014

After 159 days of almost continuous rowing, having covered a distance of 9350 nautical miles (15560 km) on a rowing boat "Turgoyak" across the entire Pacific Ocean from Chile to Australia, Fedor Konyukhov reached a point with coordinates 26 degrees. south latitude and 153 gr. v.d. Ahead - a sleepless exciting night and the remaining 35 miles (60 km) to the coveted coast, in the sandy Moolulaba Bay, north of Brisbane. It is here, at the latitude of the Chilean Concon, from where this record-breaking autonomous transition began, that it must end. The local yacht club, the city authorities, the headquarters of the expeditionary project, the welcoming team, representatives of the media (including the First Educational) have been in anxious anticipation of the finishing spurt of the rower-sailor for many days already, looking forward to it.

The previous evening, a helicopter took off towards Fedor. Moving among the waves, a white boat was found without much difficulty 72 miles from the coast. The visual contact did not last long, about ten minutes, but the joy of those in the helicopter and those in the boat was endless.

Fyodor Konyukhov will spend this night, as usual, on oars, in order to enter the 5-mile coastal zone by morning and already before dark begin to storm one of the last obstacles - the outreach of the Moolulaba River, capable of dragging the boat into the zone of reefs and huge rolling waves on the beach shallow water ... Strength and luck, brave conqueror of the oceans!

05/31/14

Immediately after the helicopter departed and dusk fell, the wind blew in the right direction. The boat, as if sensing the near land, rushed in the right direction, like a dog sled in the Arctic a year ago, and there was no time for sleep! By eight in the morning, the long-awaited shore was ten miles away.

A whole flotilla of yachts, catamarans, kayaks, led by boats from the Australian coastal service, came out to meet Fedor on the way. They were joined by the ubiquitous dolphins and even a pair of humpback whales. The boat, floundering in the leapfrog of the waves, confidently moved towards the goal, a bearded captain in a white shirt and a burned-out skipper, as usual, worked with oars.

At this time, people gathered on the breakwater, at the entrance to the marina, and on the Moolulaba beach - both locals and visitors from Brisbane and Sydney. About 500 people gathered, they were waiting for the "krezi" -Russian, about which newspapers and TV broadcasted all the last days.

At about one o'clock in the afternoon, the keel of Fyodor's boat, under the friendly applause of those gathered, poked into the sand of the beach. We were met not only by relatives, friends and project partners, but also by the local mayor, the Russian ambassador, the Orthodox priest from Brisbane, numerous representatives of the diaspora, and ordinary Australians. The ambassador read out V. Putin's greetings to Fyodor Konyukhov.

The epic ended, which is difficult to fit into the framework of ordinary ideas about the possible and the impossible. Completed successfully, and even 40 days ahead of schedule. The ocean missed Fyodor Konyukhov, and he wrote another page in the history of extreme record achievements of man and all mankind.

In 160 days, the passage across the Pacific Ocean was made by oars, alone and autonomously, with a length of 16 thousand km, from Chile to Australia - from continent to continent. Until now, no one has been able to do this!

On Saturday, the rowboat Turgoyak touched the coast of Eastern Australia. So the next journey of Fedor ended, who alone crossed the largest ocean on the planet - Tikhiy - on oars. It took him 160 days to travel from continent to continent, without a single stop at the port and without any outside help, according to official website traveler.

Konyukhov overcame more than 17 thousand km ahead of schedule in 180-200 days and set a new world record in time. According to the International Ocean Rowing Society, the previous record for crossing the Pacific in a solo rowing boat in the southern half was 273 days. This result was shown by 52-year-old Englishman Jim Shekdar, who started from the Peruvian port of Ilo on June 29, 2000 and finished on March 30, 2001 on the Australian island of Nord Stradbroke.

Konyukhov took off from the Port of Concon in Chile on December 22, 2013 and finished in Mooloolaba, Queensland. From time to time, on his Facebook page, in his usual dry manner, he reported on the progress of the risky journey.

“There is a lot of wind, 20-25 knots, but it is fair, I am following the course. About two hundred miles west of me there is a serious storm and I have a big wave. Raises the boat as if on a swing. The ocean is harsh, but you can live ", - wrote is he. His "Turgoyak" is a rowing boat 9 m long and 1.8 m wide.

“The main difficulty of this kind of test is its monotony. Every day I tried to row for 18 hours, slept for 20-25 minutes, but no more than two and a half hours a day. I walked with God's help: all the biggest hurricanes passed by me, the boat never capsized, I was helped by the following currents, ”the traveler shared his impressions of the path he had made, having stepped ashore.

“I have been traveling for over 40 years. Previously, I did it mainly for scientific purposes and out of sports interest, but now I am thinking about the younger generation, whom I want to instill a spirit of romance. I want people to dream more, ”he answered the question of one of the journalists, what pushes him to new achievements.

Fedor Konyukhov made more than 40 unique expeditions and ascents, including four round-the-world voyages, crossed the Atlantic fifteen times and was the first in the world to reach five poles of our planet: the North Geographic, the South Geographic, the Pole of Relative Inaccessibility in the Arctic Ocean, Everest (height poles ) and Cape Horn (yachtsmen's pole). In 2002, Konyukhov crossed the Atlantic in 46 days on a single rowboat Uralaz.

“I have been traveling like Moses in the desert for 40 years. Little time left to pray ...

As a mature person, I realized that there is no loneliness in the world. After all, whales or dolphins swim in the ocean next to you, birds soar in the sky, and on the way to the pole there are bears and seals.

And I also know for sure that God and the saints to whom you pray are always present nearby. In the vast ocean, except for them, no one is able to help you, ”he once said in an interview. The craving for adventure and the conquest of new peaks is combined with religiosity. Konyukhov is a priest.

His next goal is to fly around the globe in a balloon. According to Konyukhov, this will be a non-stop flight with a start and finish in Australia, the traveler plans to fly from west to east along the 40th latitude.

Fedor Konyukhov set a new world record for the speed of a balloon trip around the world. The Russian traveler hit the road on 12 July. He took to the skies in a hot air balloon from the west coast of Australia. This morning, July 23, the Russian reached the shores of Australia after 11 days of travel. The last record belonged to American Steve Fossett, his flight took 13 days. An amazing person, what records he has not set, where he has not been. This post summarizes some of his achievements:

1) Climbed to a height of 10 thousand 600 meters in a hot air balloon

Having risen to a height of 10 thousand 600 meters during a round-the-world balloon trip, the famous traveler Fyodor Konyukhov, bypassed the record set by the American businessman, yachtsman, balloonist Steve Fossett. Its maximum flight altitude was 10 thousand 200 meters.

2) The first Russian to complete the Grand Slam program

The first Russian to complete the Grand Slam program. Here, sometimes, it is difficult to climb the stairs to the twentieth floor, not to mention the mountain peaks. What is not included in the "Grand Slam" to complete the program must be conquered: North Pole, South Pole, Cape Horn, Everest.

3) Completed the program "7 Summits of the World"

The first Russian who managed to complete the 7 Summits of the World program is to climb the highest peak of every continent.

Within the framework of this program, Fedor Konyukhov made ascents:

4) Rowing across the Atlantic Ocean

In 2002, the Russian Fyodor Konyukhov crossed the Atlantic Ocean alone. He traveled in a rowing boat "URALAZ", setting a world record - 3 thousand nautical miles in 46 days.

5) Paddle across the Pacific

Russian traveler Fedor Konyukhov reached the coast of Australia in May 2014. Thus, he was able to cross the Pacific Ocean alone in a rowboat without calling in ports and outside assistance.

6) The first in the history of Russia, single round-the-world voyage non-stop

He made the first in the history of Russia, a single round-the-world voyage non-stop. On the 36-pound yacht Caraana, he sailed the Sydney - Cape Horn - Equator - Sydney route. It took him 224 days. Konyukhov's circumnavigation began in the fall of 1990, and ended in the spring of 1991.

7) Solo skiing trip to the North Pole

1990 - the first solo skiing trip to the North Pole in the history of Russia. Started from Cape Lokot, Sredny Island, on March 3. Reached the Pole on May 8, 1990. Travel time - 72 days.

8) Solo hike to the South Pole

1995–1996 - the first solo trip to the South Pole in the history of Russia, followed by an ascent to the highest point of Antarctica - the Vinson Massif (5140 m). Launched from Hercules Bay on November 8, 1995 - reached the South Pole on January 6, 1996. Reached the South Pole in 64 days, alone, autonomously.

9) Crossing Greenland with dog sleds

The record was set in 2007 - crossing Greenland on dog sleds from the east coast (village of Isortok) through the ice dome, to the west coast (village of Illulisat), along the Arctic Circle. A record was set for crossing Greenland on this route - 15 days and 22 hours.

10) World record for duration of flight

In January 2016 - together with his partner Ivan Menyailo, setting a world record for the duration of a hot air balloon flight with a volume of 3950 cubic meters - 32 hours and 20 minutes.

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