Guo launches epic solo sail

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CHINA'S sailing star Guo Chuan is hoping to make yachting history by becoming the first among his countrymen to complete a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe.

The 47-year-old former scientist set off on the epic trip on Sunday from his home town of Qingdao in northeastern China's Shandong Province.

He is aiming to complete the 21,600 nautical miles in about 130 days, travelling east via Cape Horn in Chile.

Guo, who has been sailing for 12 years after previously working on China's commercial satellite program, is also attempting to become the first man to sail around the world in an Akilaria Class 40 yacht - a 40ft monohull sailboat.

"No skipper can 100 percent ensure success before he starts the journey, but I feel I have prepared well," Guo said on his website before he set sail.

"I have been extremely busy in recent months because I have had much work to do, such as testing the equipment on board," he added.

In 2006, Guo became the first Chinese sailor to take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

He has also successfully sailed across the Atlantic Ocean single-handed in a mini yacht (6.5-meter), and was the first Chinese person to cross the English Channel solo.

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