Adventurer Adrian Flanagan has been forced to halt his attempt to single-handedly sail around the world partly because of Russian red tape.

The 45-year-old from Ludgershall, near Bicester, will now wait until next summer to attempt the final phase of the Alpha Global Expedition, to become the first to circumnavigate his way around the globe via the polar regions. Last month, Mr Flanagan had been forced to dock in the town of Nome, on Alaska's west coast, to make repairs to his engine and wait for visa clearance from the Russian authorities.

That approval to allow him to attempt the treacherous journey through the Russian Arctic without an ice-pilot, interpreter or escort, has come through, but the delay has made the crossing impossible because ice was already growing on the route.

The Russian Arctic has never before been sailed single-handed and only five fully-crewed yachts have made the passage.

But a defiant Mr Flanagan said: "My intention is to return in June 2007, in good time to make preparations. Sometimes it is harder to make the decision not to press on. I have to be pragmatic. There is little merit in taking unnecessary risks."

It has now been nearly a year since Mr Flanagan set sail from the UK on October 28 in his 38ft stainless steel sloop Barrabas.

He had to abandon the 'non-stop' part of his trek when he had to go ashore in Hawaii, after suffering severe damage to his mast. During the voyage, he has become only the 15th sailor to make a single-handed westabout rounding of Cape Horn against prevailing winds and currents.

He has also recorded the first single-handed, non-stop and unassisted passage between the UK and Hawaii when he arrived at Honolulu's Waikiki Yacht Club on May 7 after 18,000 miles.

The trip has taken its strain on both body and mind. He has dislocated both his wrists and suffered a near dislocation of his right shoulder. Mr Flanagan was inspired to make his circumnavigation after reading accounts of the epic voyages of Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Sir Chay Blyth while still a schoolboy.