BACKParis has come a long way since Agar's Island Lessons
| ALL being well Alan Paris is set to become the first Bermudian to sail single-handedly around the world, when he arrives at Newport, Rhode Island this weekend. It will be the fulfilment of a life's ambition for the former general manager of Aerial Sands, who, with his sailboat BTC Velocity, has coped with all manner of weather and marine perils during a 28,000-mile voyage that has spanned nine months. The 38-year-old has encountered high seas and high winds and even survived a collision with two whales in his sturdy but sleek 40-foot vessel, which cost a cool $350,000. His great achievement in the Around Alone Race is all a far cry from when he learned to sail, as an eight year old off Agar's Island with Judith Wadson at Camp Juniper. BUT he did not go into the project as a novice. He had already sailed more than 17,000 nautical miles alone during which time he had collided with a whale, was nearly run down by a submarine and had seen a rogue wave wash over his boat. When he first announced his plan to sail solo around the globe in March, 2001, Mr. Paris said his motive to do it was "born out of a desire to follow a different path in life and achieve a goal that requires a combination of planning, design, technology, training, eductaion, logistics and strength of body and mind – elements that are all required every day by the challenge of the sea". The race was originally scheduled to start off Charleston, South Carolina, but the starting point was moved to Battery Park, Manhattan, where the World Trade Centre had stood until a year before. After many months of preparation, on September 15 last year, Mr. Paris opened the race in terrific style, as BTC Velocity was the first of the 13 competing yachts to cross the start line after the traditional jousting for position. He said on that day: "My goal has always been to finish and do the best I can. For me it is not as much about the race as it is about going around the world." Mr. Paris's 40-foot boat is the smallest in the race and he is competing against six other yachts in Class Two (40-50 feet). His monster journey took him to England, South Africa, New Zealand and South America and he had to negotiate the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leewin and Cape Horn. Some of the $500,000 he needed for the campiagn came from well-wishers and friends who paid $50 to have their names painted on Velocity's hull. In the prime spots at the on the bow were the names of his nearest and dearest – his wife Becky and young son Tucker. His progress was monitored via the Internet by the youngsters of 16 island schools. And he has had plenty of adventures to report. Some of his most hair-raising experiences have come in the last two months. On the fourth leg of the race between Tauranga, New Zealand and Salvador, Brazil, in March, he had two near misses when massive freighters crossed his path. During a thunderstorm which unleashed 35-knot winds, Mr. Paris was shocked to see one of the massive ships coming towards him and just quarter of a mile away. "There was no way he saw me until the last minute," Mr. Paris reported by e-mail at the time. Later he saw another freighter coming his way, two miles away, which disappeared into a squall. More drama followed last month when two whales hit his boat and left him with minor injuries. But he survived, recovered and shortly afterwards treated himself to the rare luxury of a third of a bottle of Moet & Chandon. If all goes to plan, there will be more champagne and quite a family reunion in Newport. |