China's 1st Round-The-World solo sailor

Last month, Guo Chuan became the first Chinese sailor to complete a non-stop solo journey around the world.

And on May the 1st, the World Sailing Speed Record Council announced Guo had set a new world sailing record... by doing it in one of the smallest boats in sailing history.

PKG

Aboard a 40-foot, or 12-meter monohull, the 48-year old returned to the northeastern port city of Qingdao, his home town, on April 5th...

After a gruelling 138-days, on his more than 21,000-nautical-mile voyage.

Guo Chuan is the first Chinese sailor to have sailed singlehanded around the world.

After departing from Qingdao last November, Guo piloted his yacht eastwards across the Pacific Ocean to Cape Horn in Chile, sailed into the Atlantic Ocean.

He then went chartered through the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa... before crossing the Sunda Strait in Indonesia, to return to Qingdao.

But the journey wasn't easy.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) GUO CHUAN, First Chinese Non-Stop Solo Sailor:

"I had to deal with various problems on board, like equipment failures. I couldn't eat and sleep well. I was sailing under huge pressure, but my goal prompted me to go ahead."

Guo is also the first sailor in the world to achieve the feat in a Class 40 boat - the smallest boat that has ever been used in a solo, non-stop circumnavigation.

But as his boat passed the finishing line and approached Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, Guo couldn't wait to get home...

Jumping into the cold water, swimming to his wife and two sons, and holding them in his arms.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) GUO CHUAN, First Chinese Non-Stop Solo Sailor:

"I was very excited when I was back. That was my dream. No word could express my feelings at the moment. I'm proud of myself despite various hardships I've gone through."

It took nearly a decade for Guo to prepare... Taking every risk into account.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) GUO CHUAN, First Chinese Non-Stop Solo Sailor:

"Setting the goal needs great courage. Years of professional training makes me determined to challenge myself. I was waiting for the chance for ten years".

Guo used to work on commercial satellite launch projects at China Great Wall Industry Corporation.

But his life began to change when he was 33, after sailing his friend's boat:

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) GUO CHUAN, First Chinese Non-Stop Solo Sailor:

"A sailor has adventurous spirit in him. Life should be colorful and exciting. Sailing deserves my devotion and brings me fun."

Since then, he's made sailing history, with many "firsts" for China...

As the first and only professional offshore Chinese sailor...

And the first Chinese to take part in the Clipper Round the World race in 2006... along with the Volvo Ocean Race on the "Green Dragon," from 2008 to 2009.

In 2011, Guo also became the first Chinese to participate in the Mini Transat sailing event.. And sailed the Atlantic Ocean single-handedly, in a mini yacht of just 6 and a half meters.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) GUO CHUAN, First Chinese Non-Stop Solo Sailor:

"I don't have a strong aim, but just follow my heart. I learn how to sail step by step, changing from an amateur to a professional. I'm proud and happy".

Despite his experience, Guo's latest voyage was far from easy.

His equipment had a failure in the Pacific Ocean and had to wait for favorable winds in scorching temperatures on the equator... Leaving him stranded near the Solomon Islands... But nothing broke his resolve:

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) GUO CHUAN, First Chinese Non-Stop Solo Sailor:

"I made video calls with my family every day. And I posted photos of my youngest son on the cabin wall, which gave me lots of encouragement and mental support when I needed it."

Now, he's planning his next adventure:

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) GUO CHUAN, First Chinese Non-Stop Solo Sailor:

"The moment of arrival is terrific. But departure gives you another feeling - heading for a new goal. Departure and return form a perfect circle for me".

And with that, it's likely the world will see much more of Guo Chuan in future.