At 83, Jeanne Socrates, the oldest known person to complete the five-cape circumnavigation, arrives in Newcastle for repairs.

At 83, British-born Australian sailor Jeanne Socrates, aboard her 40-foot boat Nereida, continues her solo voyages, recently arriving in Newcastle, Australia, for repairs. She is believed to be the oldest person to complete the five-cape circumnavigation, a more challenging route than the three-capes journey. Sailing since 1997 with her late husband George, she has sailed solo since his 2003 death, drawn to the Southern Ocean’s solitude and spiritual depth. She has explored remote regions, encountered whales, and built a reputation among sailors. Though Guinness World Records only recognizes her as the oldest woman to sail solo around the world, she believes her full achievement merits acknowledgment. Now writing her autobiography, she reflects on decades of adventure, resilience, and her enduring bond with the sea.