Press release - 21 June 2006 [email protected]

Gipsy Moth IV - Kiwis beat the clock

Against all odds the Kiwis have performed a miracle in getting Gipsy Moth IV ready in time to continue with her global voyage. In an amazing combination of craftsmanship, determination, tenacity and resolve the team of experts working on Gipsy Moth’s refit have achieved what nobody thought was possible – to make her as good as new again!!

The standards of workmanship have been some of the best the Gipsy Moth Team has ever seen and bringing the refit in ahead of schedule and under budget means that more young people will get to sail on the boat in the months to come. In a gesture of thanks the UK Sailing Academy who are custodians of the vessel have offered three places to Kiwi youngsters to sail on subsequent legs of the voyage.

With masts stepped and initial sail trials underway there can be no doubt that the project is back on it’s feet again. After the setback in the Pacific the project owes its continuance to the willingness of the Kiwis to get stuck in and overcome the problems facing the voyage. The support that the marine industry in Auckland have provided has been incredible, with Emirates Team New Zealand leading the pack with the provision of their world class facilities to carry out the work. David Green the Global Project Manager and CEO of UKSA said:

“There was never any doubt in my mind as to where to conduct these repairs. The incredible reputation that the Kiwis have for boatbuilding and their “can do attitude” made this a no brainer for us. I have to say that the Kiwis have exceeded all of our expectations and a lifetime of thanks will be owed by the future voyage participants who will now be able to go on to benefit from the Gipsy Moth experience.”

Due to the notoriously unreliable weather in the Tasman Sea at this time of year, the current plan is to ship Gipsy Moth IV as deck cargo to Sydney where a number of Royal engagements await her. Whilst this will be a disappointment to some who wanted to see Gipsy Moth IV sail the Tasman it has some significant benefits in offering a kinder passage to this grand old lady of the sea who has just undergone one of the major “operations” of her life, and will ensure that the she is 'on time' for the celebrations in Sydney.

The Gipsy Moth team are indebted to Emirates Team New Zealand who accommodated this refit in their sheds, the three local boatyards who pooled their resources, the numerous suppliers who offered services and equipment at reduced rates, the project manager Bob Wilson who did an amazing job and NZ resident Chris Fewtrell and friends who pitched in to help the effort. New Zealand has earned its place in Gipsy Moth history and the generosity and spirit will not be forgotten.

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