Quad sailor circumnavigating Australia.

10:52 PM Mon 26 Apr 2010 GMT

'Jamie Dunross on board Spirit of Rockingham' .

'I've been flying up the coast in 20 knot following winds, with sunshine on my face, and managing 6-7 knot speeds in much reduced swells compared to what I've been used to. In short, great sailing.'

Sound familiar? - the reaction of any solo sailor in love with the ocean. But there's just one difference. Jamie Dunross has been a C5 quadriplegic since an accident in 1988, and he is solo circumnavigating Australia.

He is scheduled to arrive Sydney on Thursday or Friday of this week.

Jamie Dunross route - .. .

In the spirit of other great sailors, quad Hilary Lister who circumnavigated Britain, and Geoff Holt who sailed the Atlantic solo, Australian Jamie Dunross is solo circumnavigating Australia as a prior challenge to his big dream, to circumnavigate the world.

Jamie left Rockingham in Western Australia on Thursday 18th March to sail anticlockwise around the island continent.

Jamie Dunross whole route - .. .

He intends to call in to at least the following Ports along his route: Hobart, Sydney, Airlie Beach, and Darwin. Jamie also called into Albany on the south coast of Western Australia following a major storm around Cape Leeuwin.

There may be additional unscheduled stops depending on the conditions of either Jamie or the boat, or to suit the needs of a sponsor or community organisation.

Jamie anticipates the voyage, with stops, to take around five months, and encompass around 9000 nautical miles of sailing.

On Jamie's return from the epic journey "SPIRIT OF ROCKINGHAM" will be involved in a sailing program designed for disabled and disadvantaged members of the public in a hope to highlight those people's abilities not disabilities and also demonstrate what people can achieve against all odds when they put their mind to it.

To follow Jamie's journey or to offer sponsorship, please visit Jamie's website

by Nancy Knudsen