Irish sailor Enda O'Coineen reached his first major milestone at the weekend as he continues his solo round-the-world trip in the Vendee Globe.
The Galway man left the French port of Les Sables d’Olonne earlier this month and toasted crossing the equator with a video posted to YouTube.
The 60-year-old was in upbeat form as he continues on the challenge that is expected to take 100 days to complete.
"It’s an absolute magic evening...you couldn’t get a better time to cross the equator," he said while toasting the moment with champagne on deck.
The milestone has marked a topsy-turvy few days at sea, with the Irishman admitting that it has been an emotional rollercoaster of late.
"The last few days have been tough, but now the wind has freed up crossing the equator," he said.
"It’s magic to share this moment all on my own, but I hope friends and family will share it as well."
O'Coineen also celebrated the arrival of his grand-daughter and called on King Neptune, god of the sea, to oversee a safe passage on his journey.
The Vendee Globe race is considered the ‘Everest of the Seas’.
