Qingdao's Guo Chuan recently became the first Chinese person to sail solo around the world. Tang Zhe reports that he did so in the smallest boat used in a nonstop circumnavigation.

While the Oscar winner Life of Pi was wowing Chinese audiences in November, Guo Chuan was heading off on a real-life adventure of his own in a Class 40 sailboat.

His solo around-the-world trip from his hometown Qingdao, Shandong province, began on Nov 18.

After a 21,600-nautical-mile voyage of 137 days and 20 hours, the 48-year-old returned home on April 5, becoming the first Chinese to accomplish an around-the-world voyage, and the first man in the world to achieve that feat in a Class 40 boat, the smallest boat that has ever been used in a solo, non-stop circumnavigation.

As his boat passed the finishing line and approached Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, Guo couldn't wait to jump into the cold water, swim to his wife and two sons, and hold them in his arms.

"I was very excited when I reached the finishing line, thinking, this is a dream, my dream. I wanted to shout after all the hardships I had gone through. The water was cold, but my heart was hot, and I owed my family a lot," Guo says of his return to land.

It was a tough journey, Guo adds, as he experienced equipment failures in the Pacific Ocean, had to wait for favorable winds in scorching temperatures on the equator, and was stranded without wind near the Solomon Islands.

The weather changed drastically in the Southern Ocean, where it was freezing cold, there were wild winds and the foresail was damaged. On the first day of the New Year, Guo climbed to the top of the six-floor-high mast to cut down the remnants of the sail - a dangerous act on his own.

After celebrating his 48th birthday on Jan 5, Guo arrived on Jan 19 at Cape Horn near Chile, which is notorious for treacherous winds and extreme weather. He was the first solo Chinese sailor to reach the landmark.

Unappetizing food and limited sleep were other challenges. In order to reduce weight on the boat he took mostly dehydrated food and energy drinks, using desalination devices and rain for drinking water.

"Every day I ate hydrated paste, which tasted the same and I just swallowed it as quickly as I could," says Guo, who lost 8 kg on the voyage, but was nevertheless healthy.

"I spent most of my time adjusting the sail, observing the weather, keeping up speed, and tried to work out everything else in the shortest time possible."

He could only sleep about three hours a day, waking every 20 to 30 minutes to monitor the situation.

Guo had to stay alert for three days in the Taiwan Straits on the return journey as he was worried about abandoned fishing boats and dense nets.

There were, however, uplifting moments too, such as dolphins swimming alongside the boat and glorious sunsets and dawns.

"There were also mild days that allowed me to adjust my emotions," says the master's graduate in aircraft control, who gave up his well-paid office job to sail the seas.

"The dolphins played and raced with me, the birds flying in the sky, all these things made me feel as if I was a part of nature. It was a fantastic experience."

Guo's four-and-a-half month journey was made easier by being in contact with his family.

"Making video calls with my family was the happiest time of every day," says Guo, who had a picture of his youngest son on his cabin wall to motivate himself.

He says he was a bit upset when the 10-month-old didn't recognize him on his return, but expects to remedy this in time.

"My family gave me lots of encouragement and mental support when I needed it. They are the reason I made it," Guo says.

In addition, Guo says he had an outstanding tactical team that provided him with timely advice from France.

"The leading role France plays in sailing is like China's dominance of table tennis, and I was very lucky to have these experts help me," Guo says.

He says he plans to keep exploring the high seas and will meet up with his team in Europe in May to plan the next voyage, which is likely to be even more challenging.

"The voyage has pushed my understanding of sailing to another stage. I don't want to stop, and don't want to be someone with just one success. As long as my body allows me to continue, I will never stop."

Contact the writer at tangzhe@chinadaily.com.cn.

(China Daily 04/18/2013 page20)