BACKParis: Feeling confident
By Eloisa Mayers
| Bermudian solo circumnavigator Alan Paris will become part of an elite group of world class circumnavigators when he arrives in Newport according to organizers of the Around Alone race. Speaking to the Bermuda Sun from her office in Newport, Rhode Island, organizer Mary Amblers says Paris can expect of bottle of champagne and a celebratory party when he arrives at the finish line. Alan is next to last in his class to arrive in Newport so Amblers says there won’t be any trophies or plaques, but he will earn the distinction of being out on the water for the longest time. Amblers said some of the skippers in Paris’ class, especially class winner Brad Van Nusum think Paris deserves the trophy for being out on the water the longest. “It’s a world race and it’s not supposed to be easy,” said Amblers. “He’s fared well compared to some skippers who have been through hell and high water.” Amblers said an Italian sailor arrived in Newport without a mast. Other sailors had been through icebergs, injuries and whale encounters as they circumnavigate some of the world’s roughest and most remote oceans. When Paris arrives he will be the next to last person in his class to finish the race, and the first Bermudian to undertake the circumnavigation adventure. There is no prize involved other than Paris’s fulfilment of a two year dream and the stamp as a world class sailor. In his Thursday afternoon report, he explained: "The front is arriving. Winds presently 23 kts and have been building all day from 9 kts this morning at sunrise. Sea increasing and in general I have that ‘lets get ready for another blow’ feeling...The Gulf Stream lies 80 nm to my NW and should be there at 10pm. Bermuda time, just in time for the frontal passage and 30 - 35 kts of wind. After all this passes the wind forecast is for light and variable until Sunday, so right now the pedal is down and I am pushing hard to make as many miles as possible." At this stage, it looks like Alan should be crossing the line in Newport, early Sunday morning.” |