Record-breaking Russian adventurer unveils memorial

Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov hopes the memorial unveiled at Mooloolaba today to honour his record breaking row across the Pacific will inspire the adventurous spirit of current and future generations of young people.

Almost a year to the day since he completed the longest solo man-powered voyage of all time, Mr Konyukhov was back on the Sunshine Coast close to where he came to shore following his epic 16,800-kilometre, five-month journey from Valparaiso in Chile.

Sunshine Coast Council has constructed a plinth that records details of the adventurer’s row which culminated with landfall on May 31.

The memorial, at beach access 194, will be seen by hundreds of Coast residents and tourists who walk through the popular area each day.

The crowd at today’s unveiling included Terri and Bindi Irwin from Australia Zoo, performers from the Great Moscow Circus and a large group of Russian ex-pats in national dress.

“I’m very grateful to the Council and the people of the Sunshine Coast for placing this memorial for me here in this beautiful place,” Mr Konyukhov said.

“This is not just for me, it is for the children and adults now and in the future.

“This can be an inspiration to our generation and future generations, especially our young people who love adventure.

“There were several locations that this journey could have ended – Sydney, Brisbane and Mooloolaba – and it was God’s will that I landed in a place such as this which will now always have beautiful memories for me.

“I feel very welcome here. These are friendly shores.”

Mayor Jamieson said he was in awe of the adventurer’s achievement.

“Fedor is one of the world’s great adventurers,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“It’s very fitting that we are honouring him in his way, very close to where his remarkable row across the Pacific ended last year.

“The plinth has pride of place on the Spit at the Mooloolaba and will certainly be a talking point for the many thousands of people who visit the area each year.

“I’m very pleased that our community here on the Coast now has such a close connection to an inspirational man like Fedor.”

The solo row, from Chile to Australia, capped off a lifetime of adventures for his country’s most well-known adventurer.

He has twice climbed Mount Everest, sailed around the world four times and walked to the north and south poles.

He also held the record for rowing across the Atlantic - in just 47 days - and has climbed the highest summits on every continent in the world.

A film production company from leading Russian TV station Channel 4 (with more than 100 million viewers) captured Mr Konyukhov’s first steps on shore at Mooloolaba which was followed by Acting Mayor Cr Chris Thompson presenting him with a gift from the Sunshine Coast to commemorate this world record achievement.

Mr Konyukhov has previously presented one of the oars he used on his row to Cr Thompson and it was on display at today’s unveiling.

Photo: Mayor Mark Jamieson with Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov at today’s unveiling