Save Our Seas World Record crew shortlist announced this Friday

by SOS Media on 20 Dec 2010 Save Our Seas Ocean Racing accepted over 100 applications for it's 2011 Around Australia world record attempt.

This Friday the wait will be over for those applicants as the announcement of the shortlist of candidates will take place at 1700hrs onboard Brindabella at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutters Bay. They will also announce their technical clothing sponsor for 2011.

Less than a week away from Brindabella's 'Come Back' in the Sydney to Hobart under new owner Jim Cooney, all eyes are looking at what the old girl can do in this years Hobart, however for Save Our Seas Australia founder Ian Thomson, this year's Sydney to Hobart is all about learning the boat for the Around Australia World Record Attempt to take place in May 2011.

'Jim has the boat in amazing condition and I have been enjoying sailing her in the recent SOLAS Big Boat Challenge and the Rolex Passage Series on the weekend. I may have sailed around the country in world record time by myself however sailing with 22 people is a whole new ball game and I am learning a great deal from the entire crew' said Ian this afternoon. 'She certainly is a powerful boat and I can't help but smile as she powers up. I can't wait for Boxing Day. Even more, I can't wait for May to take on this record.'

123 people applied for the Around Australia Record Attempt with a shortlist of candidates being named on Friday. This shortlist will then go through trials throughout January before the final crew of 18 will be announced on February 1st. Making the key decisions are the afterguard consisting of Jim Cooney, Bluey Sutherland, Matt Pearce and Ian Thomson. All will be on hand for the announcement.

In addition, there will be an announcement of the Technical Sailing Gear sponsor and the members draw for a trip to Paradise Bay Eco Lodge valued at $4,180 will take place. One lucky SOS Australia member will win a trip for 2 people for 3 nights to this luxury eco lodge located in the Whitsunday Islands including helicopter transfers to and from the resort from Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach. To become a member and be in with a chance visit www.saveourseasaustralia.com and sign up before December 24th. Your $60 membership includes a crew t-shirt and a copy of Ian Thomson's book Dare to Dream.

Save Our Seas Australia was founded by Ian Thomson to create awareness of the damage we are doing the to environment with Plastic Bags and Plastics. In May 2010 Ian set a new world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of Australia and now wants to claim the monohull fully crewed record which is currently set by David Pescud's Sailors with Disabilites program in a time of 37d:1h:23m:7s onboard the 52ft Kaz. In addition to the sailing campaign, Ian travels around Australian Schools talking of the issue and when at home in the Whitsundays he runs regular clean up diving days.

'Sailing around Sydney Harbour over the last week I have seen so much plastic waste floating and it makes me mad that people just don't seem to care. I hope that this campaign can make all water users aware of the damage we are doing and that they will make wise decisions when it comes to the use of plastic. It would be a dream to see no plastic bags on Boxing Day going to boats, coming off boats and in the waterways. So I challenge every crew member to say no to plastic bags and let's make Boxing Day Australia's No Plastic Bag Day.' said Ian. 'And if you see rubbish floating in the ocean, take the time to pick it up before a marine creature swallows it to die a slow death. The bag or piece of rubbish you pick up out of the ocean just might save a turtles life!'

For more information on the Save Our Seas Ocean Racing Around Australia record click here

For more information on Save Our Seas Australia's campaign to rid Australia of Plastic bags and plastics, click here