(Image Credit: Yacht Online)
Minoru Saito was a Japanese sailor and adventurer who captured the world’s attention by becoming the oldest person to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world without stopping. He was born on February 25, 1935, in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Saito started sailing at a young age and developed a passion for the ocean. He went on to become a successful businessman and sailor, but his dream was always to circumnavigate the world solo. He attempted his first solo circumnavigation in 1984 at the age of 49, but he had to abandon the voyage after his boat was damaged in a storm.
Undeterred, Saito continued to pursue his dream and attempted the solo circumnavigation six more times, each time with a different boat. His final attempt, in 2005 at the age of 70, was successful, and he became the oldest person to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world without stopping.
Saito’s journey began on September 18, 2004, from Yokohama, Japan, aboard his yacht, the Shuten-dohji II. The journey took him 1 year, 6 months, and 12 days, during which he covered a distance of over 47,000 kilometers. Along the way, he battled extreme weather conditions, equipment failures, and physical exhaustion. He also had to navigate through some of the most treacherous waters in the world, including the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn.
Despite the challenges, Saito remained determined and focused on his goal. He documented his journey with regular updates on his website, which attracted a global audience. People from around the world followed his progress and sent messages of support and encouragement.
Saito’s achievement was recognized by the Guinness World Records, and he became a national hero in Japan. He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon, one of Japan’s highest honors, for his contribution to sailing.
Saito continued to sail and set records well into his 80s. He completed his eighth solo circumnavigation of the world in 2017, at the age of 82, becoming the oldest person to sail around the world solo eight times.
Sadly, Saito passed away on June 19, 2018, at the age of 83. His legacy lives on, and he remains an inspiration to sailors and adventurers around the world. Saito’s determination, perseverance, and love for the sea will continue to inspire generations to come.