Jean Luc Van Den Heede, the Dutch sailor who had to retire from his attempt at the non-stop, singlehanded global challenge last year aboard his yacht Adrien, is preparing to start again.

Den Heede, who hopes to break the 151 days, 19 hours and 54 minutes record set by Philippe Monnet on board the monohull U UNET in 2002, was forced to retire from his global challenge when Adrien suffered keel problems on the approach to Cape Horn last year.

Having spent four months being repaired, Adrien is back on the water being prepared for her next global record attempt.

Den Heede commented: Simrad has finished the electronics so now the instruments are all connected. Had a good day at sea last week working the boat in 10-40 knots of wind. It was an excellent test run to find out all the jobs that need to be done before the two to three week trip I have planned in the next few days.

If all goes well, Den Heede hopes to leave Sables d’Olonne on Saturday 5 October and head for Brest where final preparations will be made for the start of the next global challenge attempt.