Being the youngest person and Possibilities the smallest boat ever to have sailed around the world from east to west via the three Great Southern Capes (Cape Leeuwin, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn), Mitchell is proud of his achievement.
Jamie Mitchell . . . home after 10 years.
He departed from Sydney on 27 January 1999, to sail south of Australia. His friends from university, Marcus Schnell and David Connolly, crewed from Sydney to Jervis Bay and from Jervis Bay to Melbourne respectively.
Mitchell has been sailing since a few months old when his parents, Ian and Jan Mitchell, had their first child in Durban, South Africa, during their circumnavigation in Caprice, a mark I Top Hat.
"Perhaps that’s why I feel at home in this type of boat," Mitchell said, as Possibilities is also a mark I Top Hat.
Ordeals on the voyage included malaria in Kenya, being abducted in Tanzania, a midnight collision at sea, pirates in Venezuela, 10m waves off the coast of Chile and narrowly escaping shipwreck on a reef off Brazil.
Highlights included Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the sand dunes in Lamu, Kenya, a year of postgraduate study in Zululand, seeing his birthplace after 25 years, and rounding Cape Horn.
“Life is short, so if you have something you’ve been meaning to do, a dream, begin it,” Mitchell said. "I have met so many excellent people on this journey, on other boats and on the land, many of whom I am lucky enough to have sail with me.”
This voyage and journey is not a solo circumnavigation and would not have been possible without the generosity, help and support of these people who helped Possibilities to keep going in all ways, he said.
Mitchell is organising materials for a book and taking bookings for motivational talks, with a talk confirmed in France in May. He has also agreed to write some articles for Cruising Helmsman magazine.
ALL CRUISERS WELCOME TO SAY HELLO
Where? Balls Head Bay, (Berry Island Reserve) Wollstonecraft (end of Shirley Rd), Sydney, Australia
When? 12 Noon, Sunday, 25 January
What to bring? Hat and something to contribute to drink or eat.
What facilities are there? Anchorage and landing beach, grass, trees, fresh water, toilets
By water: From seaward, heading west under the harbour bridge then third bay to starboard (north side of harbour).
By train: Wollstonecraft station, short walk down the hill to the water.
By wheels: Down Shirley Road from the Pacific Highway at Crows Nest (just north of North Sydney) Follow blue fisheries signs to Berry Island Reserve.