Sea, Sail & Surf newsAround Alone
Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America passes 180-degree test for Around Alone
dimanche 30 juin 2002 –
As Van Liew stood on the ceiling of his living module inside Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America, he contemplated the eerie nature of this exercise. "This is not a position I’m comfortable with, not here or in the Southern Ocean," said Van Liew. "At least in the Southern Ocean you have the waves to help push the boat upright. Here it is just my canting keel and I to make it happen."
After 10 minutes of being inverted and checking for leaks, Van Liew used the manual pump to crank the canting keel to the yacht’s starboard side. Van Liew was soon running up the curved insides of the hull as it rolled to an upright position. Peter Franzen, Boat Manager for Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America, was onboard with Van Liew as a witness. Official IMOCA Imoca #IMOCA measurers from France, Canada and the U.S. were onsite. A crowd of onlookers grew rapidly as they saw the uncommon situation evolve.
As a Class II entry in Around Alone, Van Liew is required to certify Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America according to IMOCA Imoca #IMOCA (International Monohull Open Class Association) rules, which require that each skipper "must physically demonstrate that the boat, once capsized, is capable of self righting without outside help." Van Liew has already qualified for the race. He is the only skipper entered in the Around Alone race of 2002-3 that has finished the event previously. It will be his second solo circumnavigation.
The Around Alone yacht race is the longest race on earth for any individual in any sport. The 28,000-mile, 8-month long sailing race begins in New York City on September 15, 2002, and circumnavigates the world by way of the five great capes. Sailing alone aboard 50-foot Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America yacht, Van Liew will face extreme conditions to battle a diverse international fleet of the world’s best solo sailors in one of the most mentally and physically demanding competitive sports in the world.
Van Liew, 34, skipper of the Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America yacht, was the only American to finish the 1998-99 Around Alone, taking 3rd place in the 50-foot class. The race is held every four years and this event will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a new start in New York harbor.
Information Meaghan Van Liew / http://www.oceanracing.org
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