March 19, 2007. For immediate release:
Guy Bernardin and “Spray” to arrive soon in Opua. As early as Tuesday, Franco-American solo circumnavigator Guy Bernardin should arrive in Opua, concluding a 14-week passage from Cape Town (South Africa) aboard the most famous vessel in singlehanded sailing history. The round-the-world voyage which Guy Bernardin is currently undertaking was originally intended to take 10 months. Unusual weather conditions down the Atlantic Ocean and the poor ability of Joshua Slocum’s 200-year old yawl to sail against the wind have forced the schedule to be revised. Having set sail from Les Sables (France) on September 11, 2005, Guy reached Cape Town (South Africa) in January, after a stopover in Namibia to repair a missing keel bolt that had Guy pumping out between 700 and 1,000 litres of water a day. The Spray remained in Cape Town through the austral winter and set sail again on December 6, 2006, headed towards the next stop in New Zealand. The Indian Ocean and the Roaring Forties lived up to their reputation. However, the most difficult parts of the trip were the calms off the southern coast of Australia and the sudden gales encountered in the Tasman Sea. Like his notorious predecessor, Guy sails without any autopilot or electronic assistance, and only communicates through SSB radio. One of his ham radio correspondents is based near Wellington. His mission is to relay the conversations over the internet to Guy’s family and friends, through Guy’s website: www.gbsailing.com. Upon arrival in Opua, Guy will be seeking local help for getting Spray ready for the final part of the voyage, a 7-month leg from New Zealand back to France via Cape Horn. Guy’s tribute to one of the highest achievements in maritime History is also a personal quest; it is not another fabricated sailing adventure, tailor-made for the media. Guy doesn’t have any sponsor and only hopes he can inspire the school kids and sea lovers following his voyage all over the world. Watch the Spray’s latest known position at: http://echoprod.free.fr/gbsailing/currentposition.jpg About Guy Bernardin: Guy comes from a long line of seafarers. His grandfather and great grandfather were both ship’s captains and Cape-Horners. At 61, Guy has one of the most impressive records in the sailing world. He has competed in all the well known short-handed races including the Ostar, Two Star, Route du Rhum and BOC Challenge, and he was the initiator of the world renowned Vendée Globe in which he took part on its first edition. Guy’s passion for boats, the open sea and his planet carried him across the globe for 20 years aboard racing boats. Then, fascinated by the exploits of the first single-handed, round-the world navigator, Joshua Slocum, he set off in 1995 to relive Slocum’s heroic voyage. He bought the exact replica of the legendary “Spray” to undertake a centenary commemoration of the original event. It is this vessel, “Spray of St Briac”, which is now approaching Opua. Guy’s official website: http://www.gbsailing.com Direct access to the English version of Guy’s website: http://echoprod.free.fr/gbsailing/intro-uk.htm Press contact in New Zealand: Tony TEREZOW LOWER HUTT 5010 Skype : terazini
[email protected]
Contact in France: Hervé NOUGIER
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