GUERNSEY’S solo cross-Atlantic yachtsman has got the most dangerous stretch to go of the OSTAR 2009 even though he is fewer than 300 miles from the finish which should be reached today or tomorrow.

Twenty-three days ago John Falla set off from Plymouth in his yacht Banjaard on the 2,900-mile race to Newport, Rhode Island.

The 47-year-old local corporate financier said in an audio blog recorded at 8am yesterday that he is now facing the most difficult part of the journey.

‘This the most challenging phase navigationally of the entire passage,’ he said.

‘As we get towards Newport, there will be strong tides, sand banks and rocks, lots of navigational lark, Right whales and lots of other things so it’s going to be a real challenge, particularly if I’m tired.

‘Also depending on when we are going to get there – it could be day, it could be night.’

The Original Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR) is the world’s oldest solo ocean challenge, dating back to 1960.