British yachtsman Tony Bullimore has finally reached his destination in Auckland after over two weeks at sea.

Bullimore, who was forced to abandon his latest solo circumnavigation attempt over two weeks ago following rig problems on his 102ft catamaran Doha, finally picked up a tow off Cape Colville (the northernmost tip of the Coromandel Peninsular) at about 0700GMT this morning (1900 local time) and glided into Auckland under tow at midday (midnight local time) today.

According to the press office, the plan is to have the boat cleaned tomorrow, carry out the necessary repairs including replacing the staysail halyard pin that forced him to retire, and then set off again for Hobart. For this, Bullimore will be joined by a crew who’ll help him sail back to the starting point. The most likely route they’ll take is north-bound round the tip of New Zealand, round Cape Reinga (about 200 miles) and then down the Tasman Sea to Hobart.