The 73-year-old is attempting a solo circumnavigation of the world, from Dunedin to Dunedin, in his rowing boat Akros.
He completed the first leg, from Dunedin to Cape Horn in Chile, in May 2019, and is now about halfway through his second leg, from Cape Horn to Cape Leeuwin, in Western Australia.
The 9m-long carbon boat has five watertight bulkheads, is equipped with a rudder and centre board, has two satellite communication systems, has advanced marine navigation equipment and is designed to self-right if it capsizes.
Mr Konyukhov’s last message to his son Oscar and other support crew members said he was coming out the other side of violent storms off the south coast of South Africa and his boat had been damaged.
"I’m alive. The boat held up.
"The waves are massive. They are destructive. I can’t go out on deck yet to see how damaged the boat is.
"Over the past 24 hours, I’ve capsized over the side about 15 times and over the bow eight times.
"I’ve seen a lot in my life, but when a boat lies upside down for a few seconds before another wave arrives, it’s terrifying.
"The waves are slamming the boat, but it feels like the ocean is starting to calm down.
"The Raymarine wind index is torn off, I can’t see the wind direction.
"The spare one is in the bow compartment, but I can’t reach it now."
Oscar Konyukhov said the peak of the storm had now passed and the team was waiting to see if his father could continue unaided or was in need of rescuing.
"We are now waiting for a detailed report from Fedor on the damage and any equipment failures.
"After that, we can decide on the next steps of the project."
Until now, Mr Konyukhov had been about a week ahead of schedule on his second leg, which is about 9000 nautical miles.
If he can continue, he is expected to reach Western Australia in June.
