Glenn Wakefield from Victoria, British Columbia, is trying to sail around the world the wrong way, against prevailing winds and currents.

He was brought up on stories of world-class sailors like Robin Knox-Johnson and Sir Alec Rose told by his late father Roy and mother Elizabeth who were both born and bred in Portsmouth.

He was given his first sailing books as a small child and dreamed that one day he would take to the high seas and break his own records.

The 57 year-old is now seven months into a 10-month journey that has seen him sail single-handedly, non-stop around the globe in his yacht Kim Chow.

If he is successful he will be the first sailor to attempt the voyage from North America.

His wife Marylou has been keeping pace with his progress. From her home in Canada she said: 'Currently Glenn is about 600 miles from the Falkland Islands heading to Cape Horn. Glenn was raised in Victoria, British Columbia on Canada's west coast and grew up with stories about men like Sir Francis Chichester, Chay Blyth, Sir Alec Rose and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who sailed small boats around the world, all of which provided great inspiration for his current endeavour.'

Mr Wakefield's aunt and uncle Cyril and Eileen Wakefield of Hambledon Road, Denmead are delighted that he is realising his lifelong dream.

Mrs Wakefield, 79, said: 'It does not surprise me at all. He stayed with us about 10 years ago and was just as adventurous then – he is that sort. And he very much likes to know where his roots are.'

Mr Wakefield has lost more than two stone in the past seven months and his food supply is dwindling.

He uses his ham radio to keep in touch with other radio enthusiasts in the countries he passes through.

On an internet blog the self-employed tradesman said: 'With all those people to talk to and keep in touch with, I am very rarely lonely. I've found that I'm not bad company and the funny thing is I find myself listening to myself.'

elise.brewerton@thenews.co.uk