Bullimore prepares for RTW record attempt
by Team Bullimore on 12 Dec 2006
Tony Bullimore SW
As Tony Bullimore returns to the UK for a week of media interviews and sponsorship appearances, work continues in Hobart to prepare his 102ft (31m) catamaran Doha 2006 for the challenge ahead – to break the 70 day barrier for sailing solo non-stop around the world.
Last week, members of the Bellerive YC rallied round to remove 3.5 tons of extraneous gear from the multihull, including her engines, bunks and galley. Her sails have also been removed for service by Hood Sails.
Tomorrow, at 10:30am local time, the catamaran, which has now been moved to the Incat shipyard at Prince of Wales Bay, will have her 118 foot (36 metre) mast lifted by crane onto the wharf at Incat in preparation for the boat being lifted out for a thorough inspection early on Wednesday morning, 13 December.
On his return to the UK today, Tony said;
'I have been bowled over by the support, friendship and helpfulness of everyone in Hobart. What hosts! They have been absolutely fantastic in rallying round to help wherever they can. It would have taken my team a week to clear the boat of its gear, but the enthusiastic chain gang from Bellerive YC did it all in two days. We are all indebted to their help.'
Tony plans to return to Hobart next weekend and set out on his 27,000 mile record attempt around Cape Horn, the Azores island of Flores, the Cape of Hood Hope and Cape Leeuwin in January.
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