BACKParis: Feeling confident
By Alex O'Reilly
| Bermudian solo sailor Alan Paris is gearing up for the last leg of his nearly 30,000-mile ocean voyage around the world. From his hotel room in Salvador, Brazil this week Mr. Paris was confident going into the last leg. With still some 4,000 miles left to go, he reflected about his journey so far and about what challenges still lie ahead. He said he is looking forward to returning home to Bermuda and settling back into normal life. However, he said it might take some time after spending the good part of a year on his own at sea. Of course, he quickly added, he’s not there yet. Mr. Paris aboard the BTC Velocity will leave Brazil on course for the U.S. on April 13. He hopes to arrive around May 10 and he hopes to return home at the beginning of June. Sadly though, he said he will be leaving his boat in the U.S. where it will be put up for sale. His route comes within 100 miles of Bermuda and, provided all goes well with the weather, he hopes to make a quick sail-by of the island. The Around Alone is one of the world’s greatest sporting challenges; a test of skill and knowledge, but Mr. Paris said a bit of good luck would also go a long way. Despite some bad weather and minor equipment failure, Mr. Paris has made it so far. “There have been so many opportunities for failure in this race… Some of them still exist,” he said this week. “Only one out of three who start out in this race will finish. It is very humbling. “A lot has been achieved, from rounding Cape Horn,” which he described as by far the most memorable moment of the race, “in the gap between two major gales, each of which had wind speeds in excess of 55 knots and 25 foot seas. It is certainly not your average experience.” Despite the rough conditions, he admitted that he has not found anything too terrifying out in the ocean alone. “I am comfortable with the sea even at its most angry. As the weather deteriorates one must not get emotional as this does not help you get through the situation,” he said. Since arriving in Brazil, Mr. Paris has reunited with his wife Becky and young son Tucker. Tucker, at nearly three, is perhaps among the world’s best travelled toddlers Mr. Paris said. “He has seen the world.” He said that by far the hardest part of the voyage has been the separation from his family, “missing them and them missing me. My wife has been a single parent for the past eight months, she’s been wonderful.” Mr. Paris has been working toward this race since 1995 when he did his first solo passage. Although he tries to avoid using the word “obsession”, clearly there was no stopping him. In fact it was one of the conditions upon which he got married. “[The race] was a slow progression. It all started at age six when I when to Camp Juniper,” he explained, “and grew from there.” Asked if he would be sending his son to sailing lessons he responded: “Only if he wants to!” We did ask him about his last place position in the race, if perhaps in hindsight he could have held a higher position. He responded: “There were six starters in New York, one retirement and I am in 5th position. I avoid the word last as anyone who finishes this race is a winner.” He continued: “It has been great working with the kids at the 16 Bermuda schools doing the educational campaign,” he said. “And I am really looking forward to my new position as director of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute when I return. ” |