Her Royal Highness visits Gipsy Moth IV at halfway point of global voyage

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today visits the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour to meet members of the Gipsy Moth IV Team, members of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron involved in Sir Francis’s visit to Australia in 1966 and members of staff at the museum who have organised a Gipsy Moth IV exhibition to coincide with the yacht’s visit.

Her Royal Highness will officially open the exhibition by unveiling a plaque before viewing other exhibits at the museum including Kay Cotty’s ‘Blackmore’s First Lady’. Following this short tour, Her Royal Highness will board Gipsy Moth IV and meet crew members before slipping the lines and setting out for a sail in the Harbour.

The Princess has been a keen supporter of the Gipsy Moth from the beginning. As Patron of the United Kingdom Sailing Academy, the vessel’s owners, Her Royal Highness has visited the boat numerous times but today will be the first time she has been able to sail the yacht and see for herself whether Gipsy Moth IV’s sail handling traits are true!

Gipsy Moth IV will return to the National Maritime Museum after transporting Her Royal Highness to the CYCA for another function. She will be on display until Sunday when the boat resumes her global tour and departs for Mooloolaba, Queensland. Members of the public will be able to get aboard Gipsy Moth IV, for a small contribution to the project, and talk to members of the project team who will be on hand to answer any questions.

Gipsy Moth IV leaves for Mooloolaba with a crew of six: UKSA Skipper – Simon Hay, UKSA Mate – Gordon Berry, Yachting Monthly representative – Andrew Bray, UK voyage participant – Elaine Caldwell (23), Australian Voyage Participants – Nicole Starling (17) and David Sackeray (18).

Gipsy Moth IV is at the halfway point of her 22 month global circumnavigation which will see over 90 deserving young people take part in the adventure of a lifetime. An educational programme linked into schools using the latest communications technology enables thousands of young people to get involved in the project and view the world through the eyes of the Gipsy Moth IV crews.

Yachting Monthly

Gipsy Moth IV's second world voyage celebrates the 100th birthday of leading marine publication Yachting Monthly magazine and the 40th anniversary of Sir Francis' celebrated single-handed voyage.

Isle of Wight Economic Partnership - Gipsy Moth IV Premier Partner

Gipsy Moth supported through the Inspire Project.The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, is proud to support Gipsy Moth IV, as title sponsor under the banner of our ‘Inspire’ project. Gipsy Moth is carrying the new Isle of Wight branding around the world to promote the Isle of Wight as a top destination for business, tourism and lifestyle.

Through support from the Inspire project, 120 young Isle of Wight people will have the opportunity to attend a two day residential activity and sailing course at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy. During this course 15 young people will be selected to fly out and join Gipsy Moth as crew and sail her from one of her global destinations to the next, giving them the opportunity to visit places such as New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Bali, Phuket and many others.

Gipsy Moth is the ideal vehicle to promote the Isle of Wight as she epitomises the spirit of adventure that we have here on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership is the Island’s economic development agency, responsible for promoting the Isle of Wight as an investment destination, attracting new companies and investment funding to ensure the future prosperity of this vibrant and exciting Island in the South of England.

The Isle of Wight is just 20 minutes boat ride off the South Coat of England. It is famed for its sailing, being home to the world famous Skandia Cowes Week regatta. The Island is also home to White Air, Europe’s largest watersports and extreme sports festival and of course to the Isle of Wight Rock Festival resurrected form the famous rock festival of the 60’s which saw Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Rolling Stones and loads more legends of rock play the same stage on the isle of Wight. This years isle of Wight Festival saw “Coldplay” take the stage for their only live performance of the year.

For business: www.iwep.com
For pleasure: www.islandbreaks.co.uk

IWEP Contact:

Pippa Phillips: +44 (0)1983 535819

Email pippa.phillips@iwep.com or visit http://www.iwep.com

Blue Water Rallies

Gipsy Moth IV is sailing around the world as part of the 2005-2007 Blue Water Rally. Blue Water Rallies are operating their 6th round the world rally and have successfully guided hundreds of happy sailors around the world. The Blue Water Rally are funding Gipsy Moth IV’s Panama and Suez canal fees and are providing operational and logistical support to the project. More information can be found at www.yachtrallies.co.ukCorum Swiss Timepieces are the official timekeeper for the Gipsy Moth IV Project