Organizers of Around Alone, the singlehanded yacht race round the world from America, have begun planning for the 20th anniversary edition of the quadrennial event. The organizing group is currently working to finalize port stopovers, race rules and regulations and sponsorship commitments by early next year.

Since the conclusion of Around Alone 1998-99, the search has continued for a title sponsor to take the reins of the global adventure. IBM, BOC, COMSAT and others have found strong value in sponsorship of this event-especially by showcasing their communications technology products and services. The host ports have used the event to their benefit to grow tourism, attract waterfront visitors, focus on valuable downtown features and increase retail business. Organizers have said that, although the success of Around Alone 1998-99 has shown that the event can flourish without a title sponsor, its stature deserves one and they’re focused on making that marriage.

Around Alone is the longest race on earth for an individual in any sport and America’s only race around the world. Millions of new fans from around the world have discovered the race in its past five runnings. The event’s website, aroundalone.com, produced for the organizers by Quokka Sports, reached hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts on a daily basis for the entire eight months of the last race and has won many awards.

For the first time in the race’s history, a non-French person holds the overall trophy. Giovanni Soldini, Italy’s most famous sailor since Christopher Columbus, set a record in his 60-foot FILA and became a global hero after his dramatic southern ocean rescue of fellow-competitor Isabelle Autissier.

Since 1982, over 500,000 people including thousands of school children, have visited the boats and their skippers as the fleet has moved around the world from America to South Africa to Australasia and South America before returning home.

During the two decades that have passed since a group of world-class sailors came up with the idea for a solo race around the world from America, this event has been a trendsetter on the cutting edge of technology, safety and competition.

– First to manage a race using real time satellite tracking
– First to use the internet for global outreach
– First and only event to receive endorsements from International Safety Authorities
– First to implement a teacher-driven education program with an internet component

‘Born to the Wind’, the television documentary about the 1998-99 event is currently running nationally on PBS in the US with good ratings and has recently been selected as on the top adventure films in Europe by the prestigious Adventure Film Festival of Dijon.. Beginning in January, National Geographic International will bring the film to fans in over 100 countries around the globe. ‘Sailing the World Alone’ the story of the 94-95 event, won America’s top television honor, The Emmy, for the same producers.

Around Alone is produced, managed and promoted by Great Adventures Ltd., with representative offices in Seattle, Washington, USA, and London, England. Great Adventures also produces The Gold Race, from New York to San Francisco around Cape Horn, and Atlantic Alone from Falmouth, England, to the east coast of the US.

For Furhter Information Please Contact:

Dan McConnell
Managing Partner
Around Alone 2002-03

Tel: 1-206-223-6466
Fax: 1-206-326-5114
E-mail: dan.mcconnell@sea.ddb.com