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Dad and daughter defy doubters on epic voyage from Newcastle to Norway

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Rob Donald, 59, and his 19-year-old daughter Freya are sailing an 89-year-old wooden yacht from Newcastle, Australia, to Norway.
  • The journey, which began in March 2025, has already covered 18,000 nautical miles and faced significant challenges, including Donald's battle with prostate cancer.
  • Donald aims to return the yacht, named Misha, to the Netherlands where it was built, before continuing to Norway, his wife's homeland.

A father and daughter are undertaking an epic voyage, sailing an 89-year-old wooden yacht from Newcastle, Australia, to Norway. Rob Donald, 59, and his 19-year-old daughter Freya embarked on the journey in March 2025, defying doubters who predicted they wouldn't last a week together.

People said we wouldn't last a week together.

— Rob DonaldRob Donald on the doubts expressed about him and his daughter sailing together.

The yacht, named Misha, was purchased by Donald 37 years ago in Amsterdam. He has always dreamed of returning the vessel to the Netherlands, where it was built, and then continuing on to Norway, his wife's homeland. The journey has already covered 18,000 nautical miles (30,000 kilometers).

I have always loved the boat, I wanted to prove him wrong that I could last more than a week.

— Freya DonaldFreya Donald on her motivation for joining the voyage.

Their adventure has not been without significant hurdles. Doctors diagnosed Donald with aggressive prostate cancer before they left, leading to surgery in Australia and a recovery period before he rejoined Freya. Despite the health scare, Donald declared himself "fit as a fiddle."

You're dreaming.

— Hanne DonaldHanne Donald's initial reaction to her husband's plan for the voyage.

Freya, who initially wanted to prove doubters wrong about their ability to co-exist on the small boat, has embraced the challenge. The voyage has taken them from Cape Town to Namibia and Ascension Island, where they encountered a rudder problem requiring Donald to enter the water for repairs.

But my daughter said: 'Dad, I'll go with you.'

— Rob DonaldRob Donald on his daughter's decision to join the voyage.
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Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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