Manthos is completing the record attempt as part of the Round Iceland Challenge organised by the Royal Western Yacht Club (RWYC). This was launched by the southern English sailing club during the Covid pandemic as an alternative to the Ostar and Twostar.
The start and finish of the 2,800 nautical mile course is in Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, passing west of Ireland on the way and rounding Iceland in a clockwise direction. The record for the route is 39 days and ten hours, set by Charlene Howard and Bobby Drummond on "AJ Wanderlust" in 2023.
Manthos crossed the start line at 12 noon local time on Sunday. After reaching the exit of the English Channel, he headed north-westwards in a wide arc around the Isles of Scilly and crossed the Celtic Sea yesterday. At 9 o'clock this morning, he was well west of the infamous Fastnet Rock beacon.
An area of low pressure is currently moving across the North Atlantic, sending strong winds from Iceland to the south-east. However, it is expected to weaken significantly in the coming days. Manthos recently wrote on his Instagram page that he expects the route to take just under three weeks.
Qualification for something bigger: the WorldStar 2026!
The organising RWYC wishes the German good luck for his endeavour and combines this with an important note: "This challenging offshore regatta not only promises breathtaking impressions and intense conditions, but it also serves an important purpose for him: it is Nicolas' qualification for the WorldStar 2026! Completing these qualifying miles is an important step on his way to competing with the best sailors in the world. Good wind and good sailing, Nicolas - we'll be cheering you on at every nautical mile."
For Nicolas Manthos, the Round Iceland Challenge is therefore also a dress rehearsal for next year's non-stop circumnavigation, for which he has entered. The speciality of the WorldStar is that the participants have to complete it without outside help.
The sailor from southern Germany has already proven that he can handle extreme challenges. During the coronavirus pandemic, he crossed the Atlantic in both directions on a Hurley measuring just 18 feet! He had taught himself to sail shortly beforehand. Reading Wilfried Erdmann's books inspired him to make the daring trip, said Manthos after his return in a detailed YACHT report about his trip.
Manthos lives with a visual impairment following a sports accident in which his eye was injured. Sailing is therefore more than just an end in itself for him. Among other things, he uses his sailing campaign to promote @aerztederwelt. "This is a globally active network that provides medical assistance to people who do not have adequate access to healthcare - everywhere and regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or political beliefs," he says.
