A HAMPSHIRE sailor has spoken of the ups and downs of an historic round-the-world attempt which has seen the crew battered by violent storms.

Nick Houchin and the crew of Oman Sail’s 75ft trimaran Musandam have been faced with crashing waves and gale force winds as they rounded the southern tip of the African continent.

Former Solent University student Nick – now 900 miles south of Madagascar – has been at sea for 56 days in the team’s ground-breaking challenge.

To see Nick's exclusive message to SailSolent readers click here

He said: “The Cook Straight, halfway point and the infamous Cape Horn have all been and gone along with the south Pacific Ocean.

“In this time the crew have experienced many highs and lows both personal and together as a crew. "Personally, the persistent feeling of being wet was a low point.

“I can’t say that it wasn’t expected and it was something that I was bracing myself for.

“However, when combined with the low temperatures of the southern ocean it is an initial factor that can affect the ever fragile morale peaking and troughing with every watch.

“After two weeks though, the damp feeling becomes the norm and it can easily be forgotten.

“A major highlight was definitely the opening of a package from home.

“Rounding Cape Horn was a very proud moment not just for me but for all the crew.

“It is the landmark that makes every ocean sailor shudder with the thought of the diverse weather conditions you can experience there.

“For us it lived up to expectations. It is though a major highlight in my sailing career.”

The challenge is one of the major projects launched by Oman Sail, a multi-million pound scheme to promote sailing and boost the Emirate’s maritime history.

It will also aim to make a star out of Moshin Al Busaidi, who will become the first Omani ever to race round the world.

Moshin, who had never sailed before being picked for the Oman Sail project, was selected from eight Omanis in an X-Factor-style audition.

Nick, 24, joins Moshin along with Frenchmen Loik Gallon and Thierry Duprey Du Vorsent as well as Cowes-based Charles Darbyshire.

The team has about 4,900 miles to go to reach the finish line in Muscat.