Sailing the world solo: 'I bought a boat instead of a house'

'At one stage, the wind was so extreme, I went at least 30 hours without sleep. When I began hallucinating from exhaustion, I’d shout out loud and sing and slap myself across the face, to stay alert'

Tom Dolan: I could never have had a normal life

Raucous cheering rang out at France’s Nantes Saint-Nazaire port on September 7 last, when Irish super sailor, Tom Dolan, crossed the finishing line in the 53rd La Solitaire du Figaro.

In a magnificent feat of skill, stamina, and sheer determination, the Meathman finished seventh in the three-stage race, which took place over three weeks, with 34 starters.