According to reports from the Beijing News, Zhai Mo – the first Chinese sailor to attempt a solo voyage around the world -has completed his 35,000 mile journey.

Zhai Mo started his voyage on 1 January 2007 from Rizhao, a coastal city in east China’s Shandong Province. He finishes it two-and-a-half years later at the same port.

On reaching the end, Zhai commented: “The weather changes very quickly on the sea, and the days felt like years, especially in bad weather. Violent winds, waves, and rainstorms rocked the boat, which seemed likely to be overturned at any time.” Zhai later explained that he used strong rope to tie himself to the boat.

The amateur sailor’s next goal is to compete in the Vendee Globe. “No one from Asia has ever competed,” Zhai explained. “The race is regarded as the test of human endurance. I must have a try.”