「一つの夢、無事に終えた」　堀江さん、喜びあらわに―最高齢の太平洋単独横断・兵庫

　ヨットによる世界最高齢での単独無寄港太平洋横断を達成した海洋冒険家の堀江謙一さん（８３）＝兵庫県芦屋市＝が５日、約８５００キロにわたる航海を終え、同県西宮市のヨットハーバーで記者会見に臨んだ。「最高齢での単独太平洋横断は一つの夢だった。挑戦させていただいて、無事に終えられたことは大きな喜びです」と語った。
　会見に先立ち、歓迎のため集まった数百人が見守る中、帰港を祝う式典が開かれた。「皆さんどうもお待たせしました」。航海に用いた「サントリーマーメイドIII号」から降りた堀江さんのひょうひょうとした第一声に会場は笑顔に包まれた。航海の途中で使った薬は「目薬とばんそうこうだけ」と明かし、自身の健康をアピール。「僕自身は青春真っただ中なんです」と話した。（2022/06/05-19:10）

Japanese sea adventurer Kenichi Horie said Sunday that he is happy he managed to complete his nonstop trans-Pacific solo voyage on a sailboat, becoming the world's oldest person to do so.
   "Becoming the oldest person to sail across the Pacific solo was one of my dreams," the 83-year-old yachtsman told a news conference in a marina in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan. "It's a great joy that I was able to finish it safely."
   Prior to the conference, a ceremony was held to celebrate his return as hundreds of spectators looked on. As he stepped down from his boat, the Suntory Mermaid III, to make an appearance, he drew smiles from many when he said lightheartedly, "Sorry to keep you all waiting."
   Horie said he had no major health problem during his 69-day, 8,500-kilometer voyage, adding that the only medical goods he used on the boat were eyedrops and adhesive plasters.
   "I'm in the middle of my youth," he also said.