Positionstabelle
01.03.2005
01.03.2005
www.conradhumphreys.com
HELLOMOTO Race Update No. 68, 010305
CONRAD’S COMING HOME!
A West Country hero’s welcome in store
Date: Saturday 5th March, from 1030 – 1230 GMT
· 0945 GMT TV/Camera Boat leaves QAB Marina / Press boat leaves Mayflower Steps
· 1030 GMT HELLOMOTO sails into Plymouth Sound
· 1100 GMT HELLOMOTO sails past The Hoe
· 1115 GMT HELLOMOTO docks at Queen Anne’s Battery Marina followed by Broadcast Media interviews
· 1145 GMT Conrad Humphreys on Public Stage, in front of Royal Western Yacht Club
· 1215 GMT Olympic Flag Unveiled on stage
Plymouth-based Conrad Humphreys will be coming home to a West Country hero’s welcome when he skippers his 60ft race boat HELLOMOTO into Plymouth Sound this Saturday morning, 5th March. It will be the first time HELLOMOTO has entered English waters after finishing 7th place in the 24,000 mile solo, non-stop Vendée Globe yacht race on February 20th. Conrad himself will be welcomed officially back onto his ‘home soil’ by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth at the dockside.
Over in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, it is part of the magic of the event itself that no matter where each skipper comes in the race or at what time they arrive each one deserves a hero’s welcome for simply completing one of the world’s toughest human challenges. And Conrad was truly overwhelmed by the sight of more than 4,000 people who had lined the channel and flocked to the race village to welcome him and his round-the-world ‘companion’, HELLOMOTO, back to land – a stark contrast to the previous 104 days, 14 hours, 32 minutes and 24 seconds he had spent alone at sea.
Back home in Plymouth, nothing short of a spectacular reception is also being planned. Thousands of people throughout the South West region enthusiastically followed Conrad’s 3 ½ month epic and eventful voyage, contributing to the hundreds of daily messages of support and over a million monthly website hits. A major turn-out is expected both on the water and at Queen Anne’s Battery Marina, where Conrad will take to the stage to show his appreciation to his supporters and acknowledge the part they played in his achievement. Throughout the whole day and when Conrad is interviewed in front of the public about his experiences, a giant screen behind the stage will broadcast both live pictures of the homecoming, images from his arrival in France and previously unseen onboard footage from his circumnavigation.
Conrad commented at the start of the Vendée Globe that his inspiration for entering this race came from back home: “I remember being at the dockside to see Pete Goss sail back into Plymouth for his homecoming after the 1996/7 Vendée Globe, in which he rescued fellow competitor Raphael Dinelli. It was that very moment the seed was planted and ever since I have dreamed about doing this race.” Pete Goss, who has been following Conrad’s race with great interest, will be taking part himself in Conrad’s own homecoming with a video message of congratulations for the West Country’s newest solo circumnavigator.
The Vendée Globe is regarded as the ‘Olympics’ of Offshore Sailing, and likewise held every 4 years. Conrad intends to return to the 2008 Vendée Globe with a winning campaign and as an ambassador for the South West. As a mark of support for Plymouth’s own future 2008 Olympic Sailors, he will invite up onto the stage UK Mirror Dinghy Champion brothers, Dan and James Ellis. This will be a great opportunity for Plymouth to show support for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games Bid, and particularly as the South West will be hosting the Sailing. As a finale, Conrad and the Ellis brothers will then sign the Olympic Flag together on stage to show their commitment to go and win in 2008.
ENDS
Public Information on Queen Anne’s Battery: Tel: +44 (0)1752 671142
Motorola Ocean Racing Team web site: www.conradhumphreys.com
Media enquiries, press boats, interviews & ‘Homecoming’ photography:
Mary Ambler, Communications Manager – Motorola Ocean Racing Team
Email: mary@o6t.com - Tel: +44 (0) 1752 600111 - Mob: +44 (0) 7887 643583
Camilla Green – Pitch PR
Email: camilla@pitchpr.co.uk – Tel: +44 (0)20 7494 1616 – Mob: +44 (0)7970746482
APP Broadcast Television Production Service - broadcasters can request archive and VNR footage via APP Broadcast team. Contact Sarah Funnelle: sfunnelle@appbroadcast.com - Tel: +44 (0)208 964 4992 – Mob: +44 (0)7870 385086
Photography from the Vendée Globe race: www.dppi.net - media will need to register for a password to access high resolution photography. High resolution aerial, onboard & portrait photography of Conrad Humphreys is also available on request to Mary Ambler.
Motorola Online Media Centre
www.motorola.com/mediacenter
Vendée Globe Official Race web site
www.vendeeglobe.org/uk
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