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16 June 2005, 02:13 pm

Gipsy Moth IV Re-Launch

Gipsy Moth

Gosport, Great Britain

Sir Francis CHICHESTER's (GBR) famous yacht, Gipsy Moth IV, is to sail again after more than 37 years in concrete dry-dock at Greenwich, London, Great Britain following a two year campaign to save the famous vessel.

Yachting Monthly's campaign means that Gipsy Moth IV will be re-launched next Monday 20 June. The launch party will gather together those who have contributed and helped towards the complete refit of the boat, costing £300,000 at Camper & Nicholson's Gosport, the south coast boatyard where she was originally built in 1966.

The yacht was craned out of her concrete dry-dock at Greenwich on 17 November last year, after 37 years enduring London's acid rain, but restoration work did not begin in earnest until January this year. The UK Sailing Academy (UKSA), the new owners of Gipsy Moth IV, have worked tirelessly with Camper & Nicholson on what has been called 'one of the speediest restoration projects in recent maritime history.'

CHICHESTER sailed around the world in 1966 at the age of 66. His solo circumnavigation via the three capes, with only one stop (in Sydney, Australia for repairs) set the record for the fastest time around in the world by any small vessel and achieved several other sailing 'firsts'.

CHICHESTER's pioneering spirit lives on. Young people, nominated by schools, youth charities and associations, will have the opportunity to be trained by UKSA, some of them being selected to crew aboard Gipsy Moth IV during various legs of her second round the world voyage, which starts from Plymouth on 25 September.

On the first part of her voyage Gipsy Moth IV will take part in the Blue Water Rally, heading to Gibraltar, the Canaries, and Antigua, before transiting the Panama Canal and crossing the Pacific to Sydney, Australia, where Sydney Royal Yacht Squadron have promised a big welcoming party.

Before she sets off on her round the world trip Gipsy Moth IV has several prior engagements including a starring role at Portsmouth's Festival of the Sea, as well as Skandia Cowes Week and the Southampton Boat Show.