Next Stop the Falklands Islands

Monday, 23 February 2004

20 knots plus - this may be a quick trip

Kip and Alan and Artforms had been ready to depart since the beginning of the week, however New Zealand has been in the grips of a series of severe depression causing gale force winds through out the country. The weather window for a safe departure finally opened for Saturday.

Leaving the Auckland Icon the Sky tower behind them they sailed out of the Waitemata Harbour at speeds of 20 knots plus.

It will be a 4,800nm leg from Auckland to the Falkland Islands via Cape horn. In the Falklands, Alan will leave the boat and Kip will continue the passage up to the UK solo aiming to arrive in Plymouth mid April. There he will be meet by his shore crew and final preparations for the Transat will be begin.

We wish Kip and Alan a safe voyage.

For regular updates check back here and at www.ksopen50.com

Thanks also to Paul Todd from Outside Images. Visit www.outsideimages.co.nz for more great shots of Kip & Alan’s departure.

Email this page to a friend