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This is Ajay Goyal's log running through the planned sailing trip across Drakes Passage from the Southern tip of America to Antarctic in December 2007. I hope to capture my preparations, excitement, expectation and fears as I embark on one of biggest yachting challenges in the world with my friends.

We plan to meet up in Ushuaia in mid-December 2007 and spend a month sailing through the passage to antarctic and back, visiting a few international bases on the frozen continent.

It is a very personal challenge for me that will prepare me, I hope for the two solo sailing trips I plan to make some time soon - one across the Atlantic and the other following the route of Vasco De Gama on his discovery of sea route to India.

Over the years I have met many Indian merchant seamen but rarely an Indian yachtsman during many sailing trips in the mediterranean, chesapeake bay or the Danish and Swedish waters. Ideally I should be testing and honing my skills for a few more years before I go down into the roaring waters of Drakes Passage. But I am in the company of seasoned sailors and some adventurous Russian friends. Even though I feel the whole politicization of Antarctic is ridiculous, I would still be taking an Indian flag just to have my picture taken with it and perhaps convince one of the research stations to keep it is a souvenier till the next Indian sailor comes calling.