
Simon Koster is in the thick of a solo sailing race, the Mini Transat, one of 82 sailors competing in the event.

The Swiss yachtsman has employed a psychologist to help him work on the mental strains of being on board.

Much of that mental strain is to do with sleep, Koster estimates he will average between four to five hours in any given 24-hour period during the race.

His first pre-race challenge was to undertake a series of tasks on dry land while awake for 36 hours.

His boat is littered with messages that act as reminders and pointers from his sports psychologist.

Having completed the Mini Transat twice before, he believes he is far better prepared mentally this time around.

He admits being alone for days on end at sea can bring its challenges, particularly when it comes to decision making.

And he is prone to shouting at and hitting his boat if his frustration spills over.