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Competition winner gets to sail on Gipsy Moth IV - February '05
Howard Bentley from Basingstoke wins competition run by BBC South to sail on Sir Francis Chichester’s famous yacht Gipsy Moth IV
Mr Howard Bentley, 49, from Basingstoke in Hampshire, is the first winner of the competition held by BBC TV South, in conjunction with the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA), to sail on a fully restored Gipsy Moth IV. A more worthy winner is unlikely – Mr Bentley had quite a story to tell the competition judges.
Gipsy Moth IV is the 54ft sailing ketch that the then 64 year-old Francis Chichester sailed around the world between August 1966 and May 1967. The voyage was the first solo, one-stop circumnavigation of the world.
Over 30 years in dry dock, on display in London, took their toll on the famous yacht and she was literally rotting away until Yachting Monthly started their ‘save Gipsy Moth IV campaign’. New custodians were needed and the yacht was acquired by Cowes based UK Sailing Academy – Britain’s foremost sail training establishment. UKSA are overseeing the restoration, expected to cost around £350,000. Once restored to her former glory she will be relaunched to sail around the world again, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sir Francis’s epic 29,630 mile voyage.
As part of their coverage of the restoration, BBC TV South ran a competition for viewers to win the chance to sail on Gipsy Moth IV. Mr Bentley sent in his application accompanied by a letter detailing his own connection with the epic voyage. In 1966, at the age of 11, he became totally immersed in what Francis Chichester was attempting. Despite having no previous family connections with sailing he became an overnight convert, following every news report of the voyage. When Francis Chichester returned to a hero’s welcome he sailed Gipsy Moth IV up the Thames to Greenwich to receive his Knighthood from The Queen. Mr Bentley pestered his father to attend and he took his own cine camera to record the glorious occasion; film he still has today. After that he collected Chichester memorabilia – some of it now quite rare – and even took up sailing himself.
Mr Bentley has had a lifelong ambition to step aboard Gipsy Moth IV, let alone sail her, so he is ecstatic at winning the competition. He will get to sail Gipsy Moth IV, prior to the yacht retracing the original voyage, when she will be sailed from Cowes to Greenwich. This time, however, for a visit only, because the UKSA don’t want the yacht to become a static display again. She will be based in Cowes and will be put to good use taking young people sailing.
Other winners will be announced in the future, with up to six lucky people getting the chance to sail Gipsy Moth IV.
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NOTE TO MEDIA
For further press information, please contact:
Anna Symcox
PR Manager & PA to the CEO
United Kingdom Sailing Academy
Tel: +44 (0) 1983 203016
Fax: +44 (0) 1983 295938
Mob: +44 (0) 7709 485674
Email: anna.symcox@uksa.org
Web: www.uksa.org |
Susan Preston Davis
Global Media Co-ordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 789111
Mobile: + 44(0) 7771 732007
Email: susan@mpr.eclipse.co.uk |
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United Kingdom Sailing Academy
UKSA is recognised as the world's leading Sailing Academy. It is a registered charity and non - profit making organisation supported by the Lister Trust. Based in West Cowes on the Isle of Wight it has superb, modern facilities with residential accommodation and operates a fleet of over 300 craft. UKSA provide a wide range of courses aimed at adults, young people and the disabled. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is Patron to the Academy and Ellen MacArthur is their Ambassador.
Yachting Monthly
Gipsy Moth IV's second world voyage celebrates the 100th birthday of leading marine publication Yachting Monthly magazine and the 40th anniversary of Sir Francis' celebrated single-handed voyage.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership is the economic development agency for the Isle of Wight. Their unique position allows them to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors and ensure a coordinated approach in improving the Island's economy.
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