Polar sailor postpones trip again

Mr Flanagan says he will resume his trip next June

A sailor who set off two years ago to become the first person to sail around the world solo via the polar regions is postponing his bid for a second time.

Adrian Flanagan, 46, from near Bicester in Oxfordshire, set off from Hamble, Hampshire, in October 2005.

He was forced to quit in September 2006 after 25,000 miles (40,234km), when the Russian Arctic began to freeze over.

He resumed his bid in June but icy seas have again forced him to quit and leave his boat in Mehamn, Norway, for winter.

He said the ice delays from winter 2006 had affected this year's leg.

There were also delays in "permissions from the Russian government".

"These things tend to have knock-on effects and the knock-on from the ice delays means that I am looking at the prospect of crossing the Norwegian and North Seas at the wrong time of year.

"I've decided to stay my hand. My appetite is not diminished neither is my confidence in beautiful Barrabas or myself. But my instinct is speaking in that loud, clear voice that never lies.

"Barrabas will winter here in Mehamn and I will return in June to finally bring her home."

Mr Flanagan is raising money for Oxford Children's Hospital and Save the Children.