Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America Takes Commanding Lead in Around Alone

by Tommy Hiflinger media on 11 Feb 2003 Twenty-four hours after starting Leg 4 of the Around Alone race from New Zealand, American Brad Van Liew sounded groggy, tired and sad. He had also racked up a 30-mile lead against his closest competition. His blues seem an effective trigger for speed aboard the fiery fifty-footer he is racing, Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America.

The start gun was fired at 12:15 p.m. local time on Sunday, February 10, after a short delay. More than 300 spectator craft hovered on the race start line, anxious to see the state-of-the-art race boats take-off on the most grueling and dangerous of five Around Alone legs. Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America showed off her colorful graphics and speedy design amongst the fleet, powering ahead of many of the Open-60s.

'I usually go into a five-day funk,' said Van Liew. 'It is hard to get my head around the 40 days ahead and the immense challenge of Cape Horn and the weather that can accompany the region at 60 South. My previous experience surely colors my opinion of the place when I was rolled over just before The Horn. I know there is an iceberg 11 miles wide 400 miles north of the Falkland Islands. A dark stormy night with icebergs present is not what I am looking forward to right now. I miss my daughter and I miss my wife.'

Van Liew and many of the other Around Alone racers often experience the blues just after leaving port. They are immensely social creatures, unlike the personalities that may have taken on this challenge decades ago with no communication devices. Brad and Emma Richard onboard Pindar asked each other the rhetorical question today via satellite phone, 'Why are we doing this again?'

The answer may not seem clear right now, but for Brad it is the challenge, the experience, the beauty and the win. He embodies the Tommy Hilfiger philosophy of living the American dream and being resourceful and bold. He has the spirit to finish and the spirit to win.

To track Van Liew's progress and to get daily updates from the Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America yacht, please visit www.tommy.com/freedomamerica.