SAVE THE DATE...SAVE THE DATE...SAVE THE DATE...

Gipsy Moth IV will return to Plymouth on Monday 28th May 2007 and Cowes on Sunday 3rd June 2007

Gipsy Moth IV is due to complete her global circumnavigation by sailing into Plymouth exactly 40 years to the day since Sir Francis Chichester returned from his record breaking voyage.

After an extensive restoration driven by UKSA, Yachting Monthly and the Maritime Trust, supported by premier partner the Isle of Wight and global partners BT and Corum and countless other supporters, Gipsy Moth IV set sail on a second circumnavigation of the globe with the Blue Water Rally, providing over 80 young people with the opportunity of a lifetime during the 20 month voyage.

Throughout the journey, the young people involved have achieved a huge amount. Overcoming challenges and pushing themselves to operate outside their comfort zones and learn about different cultures and environments.

Gipsy Moth IV will return to her new home port of Cowes and join UKSA's fleet of yachts to continue taking young people on sailing trips. These charitable trips will be funded by Gipsy Moth IV sailing experiences which can be booked via UKSA. The day, weekend and 5-day trips will give sailors the opportunity to take to the helm of one of the world's most famous yachts and practice traditional navigation and seamanship.

There are a number of opportunities for the media at both Plymouth and Cowes.

PLYMOUTH - Monday 28th May 2007

1. Media briefing - 28th May, 11.30am, Royal Western Yacht Club, Plymouth. A run through of the day's activities, opportunity to interview key project partners and and voyage participants.

2. Media vessel. Organised for those wishing to capture the action afloat. Contact Anna to reserve your place.

3. Entry to media area at West Hoe Pier to view the crew coming ashore, the exchange of gifts and the unveiling of a plaque. Giles Chichester, the Mayor of Plymouth, voyage participants from the first leg of the voyage will be present.

4. Drinks reception at the Royal Western Yacht Club. Speeches from the project team and young voyage participants.

You MUST contact Anna Symcox anna.symcox@uksa.org 01983 203016 to register your intent to attend / reserve your place at the above. There are limited spaces available on the media vessel and at the drinks reception.

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY

11.30   Media briefing (Royal Western Yacht Club Plymouth)
12.00   Afternoon of entertainment begins on Plymouth Hoe
13.00   Media vessel departs to rendez-vous with Gipsy Moth IV
14.00   Gipsy Moth passes Plymouth breakwater and makes her way into the Sound
15.00   Skipper and crew transferred from Gipsy Moth IV to the steps at West Hoe Pier where Chichester came ashore in 1967. Shore photo / media opportunity
15.30   Gipsy Moth IV transferred to Queen Annes Battery
16.00   Drinks reception at Royal Western Yacht Club

Highlights of the day...

• A flotilla of yachts will accompany Gipsy Moth IV into the harbour which she departed from in September 2005.
• The same Gypsy Moth IV bi-plane that greeted Chichester in 1967 will welcome the vessel back.
• Young voyage participants will be present to tell their stories.
• Giles Chichester, son of Sir Francis will be in the official party, welcoming the vessel home.
• Plymouth City Council are taking Plymouth back to 1967, laying on entertainment on the Hoe including 60's bands and fashion shows as well as airing archive footage of Chichester's return on a video wall.

COWES - Sunday 3rd June 2007

More details to follow soon. Be sure to save the date...

Background information on the project and skippers logs accounting the voyage can be found at www.gipsymoth.org