This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-46672783

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Crowd-funded 'Pixel' boat starts yacht record bid Crowd-funded 'Pixel' boat starts yacht record bid
(7 days later)
A sailor has embarked on a crowd-funded attempt to break a circumnavigation record.A sailor has embarked on a crowd-funded attempt to break a circumnavigation record.
Alex Alley, 48, from Hampshire, is aiming to become only the second mariner to sail solo around the world in a boat of 40ft or less. Alex Alley, 48, from Hampshire, aims to become the fastest mariner to make the solo trip in a Class40 boat.
He raised the money by selling 5cm squares on the side of the yacht Pixel Flyer and corresponding pixels on his website.He raised the money by selling 5cm squares on the side of the yacht Pixel Flyer and corresponding pixels on his website.
He expected "the highest highs and lowest lows" during five months at sea.He expected "the highest highs and lowest lows" during five months at sea.
Mr Alley has been based at Haslar Marina in Gosport.Mr Alley has been based at Haslar Marina in Gosport.
He sailed out of Gosport on Christmas Eve and is due to cross the official start line in the English Channel on Christmas Day.He sailed out of Gosport on Christmas Eve and is due to cross the official start line in the English Channel on Christmas Day.
Speaking before embarking, he said he was "very excited, nervous and anxious".Speaking before embarking, he said he was "very excited, nervous and anxious".
"There is a record to be had - there will be a whole lot of highest highs and lowest lows."There is a record to be had - there will be a whole lot of highest highs and lowest lows.
"I love the challenge of seeing what I'm capable of.""I love the challenge of seeing what I'm capable of."
The idea of selling pixels dates back to the Million Dollar Homepage in 2005 which student Alex Tew sold pixels on a webpage to fund his university place.The idea of selling pixels dates back to the Million Dollar Homepage in 2005 which student Alex Tew sold pixels on a webpage to fund his university place.
Mr Alley said people had uploaded company logos to fill the "pixels" on the side of the yacht, but also personal messages and family photographs.Mr Alley said people had uploaded company logos to fill the "pixels" on the side of the yacht, but also personal messages and family photographs.
"One girl has uploaded a picture of her father who passed away - she said 'Dad always wanted to sail around the world, now he can'," he said."One girl has uploaded a picture of her father who passed away - she said 'Dad always wanted to sail around the world, now he can'," he said.
The current record, set by Chinese sailor Guo Chuan, stands at 137 days, 20 hours 1 minute and 57 seconds.The current record, set by Chinese sailor Guo Chuan, stands at 137 days, 20 hours 1 minute and 57 seconds.
Another solo round-the-world sailor Susie Goodall was rescued earlier this month after capsizing 2,000 miles west of Cape Horn.Another solo round-the-world sailor Susie Goodall was rescued earlier this month after capsizing 2,000 miles west of Cape Horn.
The 29-year-old Briton lost her mast when her boat pitchpoled during the non-stop Golden Globe Race.The 29-year-old Briton lost her mast when her boat pitchpoled during the non-stop Golden Globe Race.