SPIRIT HELLENIC CHALLENGE

The Challenge: To sail the whole of the mainland coast of Greece

When? June/July 2012

The Catamaran: An Eagle20 Ocean

© Matt Cook

Alan, a paraplegic catamaran sailor aims to sail along the whole of the coast of mainland Greece together with an able bodied crew. This will be from Alexandroupolis in the East to Igoumenista in the West.

He is not viewing this as a challenge for a disabled sailor, rather than for a fast catamaran sailor. So, apart from promoting social inclusion, the project will promote the spirit of adventure.

The plan is to sail for 10-14 hours a day and sleep ashore in camper vans at night. Where the weather permits, some sailing will happen at night.

© Matt Cook

Click here for video of Al sailing in Greece with Kostas Trigonis (Tornado World Champion and three times Tornado European Champion)

Boat's Name: Spirit.

Why Spirit? Because the Greek Challenge represents the spirit of adventure, the spirit of integration, the spirit of endeavour

Alan has over ten years of experience sailing catamarans in long distance events - the majority in Greece (click here for details) as well as having sailed over 2000 miles offshore on a 10m trimaran called Paradox (including beating Dame Ellen Macarthur on the first leg of the Two Handed Round Britain and Ireland Race in 1998 - visit here for details). He has also been fortunate to sail with Darren Bundock (seven times Tornado world champion and twice Olympic silver medallist) in two long distance events.

The catamaran has been especially built for such a venture and has been further modified especially for this challenge. Based on Alan's experience, the main changes to date have been the addition of wings and helming seats and a righting frame.

To support Alan and his crew there will be a shore team of two people. They will drive two camper vans around Greece, meeting the boat at every stopover. They will also be responsible for preparing the evening meal and breakfast as well as preparing food for Alan and his crew on the boat. Their other important role will be washing the crew kit!

What benefits are there for sponsors? It will be a great way to promote your company's corporate social responsibility and how it 'integrates' with society. For a computer company you can highlight how well your systems 'integrate'. You can be associated with an extreme sporting event, but one that pushes limits safely.

Sponsorship Costs: Alan has bought the boat, so the costs will be:

* transporting the boat to Greece

* rental of the camper van and fuel for the trip

* branding the boat in corporate graphics and the purchase of corporate sailing clothing for the team

* the cost of food and drink, washing and other incidentals 

* crew costs/expenses

* spare main sail, rudder and dagger board

* hire of the OC Tracker system

* daily website updates

This will come in at £15,000 in total, so the project represents a very small outlay for a large potential return in terms of media coverage. Alan and his crew will be happy to come into your company and do talks about the project. These talks can be motivational/inspirational and/or about planning and executing such a project.

Press: Over the years, Alan has been featured in many articles in Yachts and Yachting, Dinghy Sailor Magazine, Multihull International, Multicoques Magazine in France, and even China Yachting.

Follow the record attempt: it is intended to use OC Tracker so that the attempt can be followed live on the website

To get involved or simply to find out more, e-mail: alangrace (at) btinternet.com

Some photos of Alan in action:

Alan sailing with Darren Bundock  in Greece (above); Alan sailing on an Extreme 40 (below)

© Mark Lloyd Images

Alan sailing offshore on the 10m trimaran Paradox: