Gipsy Moth IV returns to Australia

by Sail-World./UKSA on 13 Jul 2006 Last weekend, Gipsy Moth IV sailed into Sydney Harbour for the first time since
her record breaking skipper Sir Francis Chichester sailed into Sydney in
December 1966, half way through his courageous solo round the world record
attempt.

Onboard was skipper Richard Baggett, Mate Simon Hay, Project Founder Paul Gelder of Yachting Monthly, James Blake, son of Sir Peter Blake and Elaine Caldwell voyage participant.

At 1600, after sailing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and back out past the Opera House, Gipsy Moth IV berthed at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron where Chichester stayed during his stopover in December 1966.

The vessel was greeted by RSYS members and Gipsy Moth IV's original propeller was presented to Warwick Hood in recognition of the clubs involvement with Gipsy Moth IV, both in 1966 and today.

Her arrival marked the halfway point in a re-enactment of Chichester's historic voyage, which began in Plymouth, England, in August 1966.

It was the first true solo circumnavigation of the globe via the three capes and was the fastest trip around the world by any small vessel. It was also notable for Chichester's age at the time, 65.

His round-the-world expedition captured the world's imagination, made front-page headlines in Australia and became a symbol of human triumph in the face of adversity.

While Chichester died of lung cancer in 1972, those re-enacting his trip are sure he would have been proud of their efforts.

The yacht was stored in dry dock in Greenwich, London, until last year, when it was restored by enthusiasts following a campaign, called Stop the Rot, by Yachting Monthly magazine. It was then decided to re-enact Chichester's voyage.

Chichester was the author of books including Solo to Sydney (1931), Alone Across the Atlantic (1961), The Lonely Sea and the Sky (1964) and Gipsy Moth Circles the World (1967).

The yacht set off from Plymouth in the UK on the 25th September 2005 on a 22 month circumnavigation of the globe, over the course of the two year voyage over 90 young people will crew 'legs' of the voyage, some of whom will be Australian youngsters.

The second circumnavigation has not been without dramas. The iconic British sloop was severely damaged when she was run aground on the North West corner of the Rangiroa Atoll, part of the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia and she arrived by freighter in Auckland.

Repair work was carried with two shifts of shipwrights repairing her at the Emirates Team NZ base in the Viaduct Basin.

On Sunday 9th July, Gipsy Moth IV sailed into Sydney Harbour with an accompanying fleet of vintage craft.

The Gipsy Moth IV Project has a busy calendar of events including a dinner at Dolton House last night, with guest of honour HRH The Princess Royal, the opening of a Gipsy Moth IV exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum, taking HRH sailing around the famous Sydney Harbour, public talks at both the CYCA and Maritime Museum as well as the yacht being on display to the general public at the Maritime Museum from the 14th - 16th July.

Today Gipsy Moth IV, sailed from Darling Harbour to the CYCA with Princess Ann, the CEO of RYA and YA and the UKSA onboard.

Following this week of high profile celebratory events in Sydney Gipsy Moth IV will depart from Sydney of Sunday the 16th of July to continue on her global circumnavigation.

The yacht will be sail north, she will be making official stopovers in Brisbane and Mooloolaba; On August 1st she will be heading north to Airlie Beach and then Hamilton Island and is scheduled to arrive in Cairns by August 15th. On August 17th she will leave Cairns for Darwin.