Maltese sailing around the world covers 13,885 nautical miles

Alex Whitworth, a Maltese living in Australia, and his friend Peter Crozier, who are sailing around the world in a 33-foot yacht, plan to reach Falmouth, England early on June 2.

The two left Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia, for the Falkland Islands, near Argentina after taking part in the Sydney-Hobart race last December. From Hobart they crossed to New Zealand, into the Pacific Ocean, then headed south towards the Horn, crossed over to the Falkland Islands, up into the Atlantic Ocean, past Brazil and across the equator.

The two have travelled a total of 13,885 nautical miles: 690 from Sydney to Hobart, 6,750 from Hobart to the Falkland Islands and from the Falklands to the current position, just north of the Azores, off Portugal, they have covered another 6,445 nautical miles.

They have another 1,029 nautical miles to reach Falmouth. And with the current speed of about 5.5 knots, they are about eight days away from their destination.

When they get to Falmouth, they plan to take part in Fastnet, a 608-mile race from England to Fastnet, on the south west coast of Ireland, and back. The 608-mile race, considered one of the world's classic ocean races, is scheduled to take place on August 7.

They will then return to Sydney, calling at Gibraltar, Cape Town and Melbourne on the way. They hope to be back in Sydney in time to compete again in the Sydney-Hobart race next year.

But while in England, Mr Whitworth's mother hopes her son will hop on a plane to visit her. "He celebrated his birthday at sea and I keep tabs on his progress because my other children inform me by looking at the site they have set up on the internet. I am concerned for him but on the other hand I am proud to be his mother as he is doing something no one has ever done."

Their daily log is often telegraphic, yet colourful enough to give a clear indication of what they have to go through.

"We passed the Azores around midnight - saw a sailing boat during the night, heading Lisbon perhaps. Dolphins and birds around. Big following sea, 25-30 knots uncomfortable but progress. Some much dirtier weather forecast for later today but should not last too long. Azores = mental half way to Falmouth. We get under 1,000 nautical miles to go tonight if all goes well," reads the log.

"We are facing a Beaufort force 7-8 near gale. The wind streaks, long breaking crests of five metre waves," the log says.

The two men are repeatedly asked why they have embarked on such a gruelling journey: "It's what there is to do today, basically! There's a huge sense of exhilaration, achievement, joy, even in being a living part of the elements. All in all, it's a wild, heart catching, sometimes terrifying ride and soon we get to see our families. It's a very special sense of anticipation," they said.