We regret the untimely passing of our good friend Mike Harker. In 1969, Mike Harker started the extreme sports revolution by essentially inventing the sport of hang gliding, using plastic and duct tape to create the first practical hang glider. He eventually went on to accomplish amazing feats in hang gliders, including flying off the top of the Zugspitze, which is highest mountain in southern Germany. One of his last "extreme"� accomplishments seemed to typify how he did things – completing a solo circumnavigation in a production Hunter 49 sailboat, named Wanderlust III.

Harker's Hunter 49 was virtually unmodified from standard production configuration and by taking a basic production boat rather than one of the boats more traditionally considered a blue-water voyager, Harker made the extraordinary rather matter-of-fact.

A circumnavigation should never be considered an "ordinary"� accomplishment. The oceans are wild places and Mother Nature always gets the final say. A solo circumnavigation, where the sailor spends days and long weeks in complete solitude, is a "whole "˜nother kettle of fish."� And finally, just to add the final twist, Harker did the trip in a production Hunter 49. Did I mention that Harker is paralyzed below the knees?

In 1977, Harker fell 400 feet in a horrific hang-gliding accident, breaking more than 30 bones and leaving him in a coma for more than 11 months. Despite predictions he would never even walk again, he not only walked but made it back into a hang glider.

Hunter provided support to Harker during his year-long voyage and the company is pleased with the accomplishment of both sailor and sailboat. Hunter's Director of Sales and Marketing, John Peterson said "We are working hard to dispel the perception and myth that our new models are not suitable for long range "bluewater"� cruising.

Read more about his fascinating life below, as well as excerpts from his round the world voyage.

http://www.h-tv.com/index_interview.html

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Mike.