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13 March 2003, 09:34 am

American Sailors Aiming For World Record

Great American II

Hong Kong - New York Record Attempt

Sailing adventurers Rich Wilson and Rich du Moulin are almost ready to depart from Hong Kong to take aim at the Hong Kong-New York sailing record, a 15,000-mile non-stop voyage.

Wilson and du Moulin, who depart March 16 onboard 53-foot trimaran Great American II, will not only try to break the 154-year-old speed record from Hong Kong to New York: they will also try to break new ground in education. The voyage of Great American II will be followed online by school children from throughout the United States, and students will be able to see how math, sciences such as meteorology and oceanography, and even the lessons of history apply in real-time adventure.

In the 1840s, in the China Tea Trade, the speed of the majestic clippers meant faster cargo delivery, fresher tea, and higher prices to a shipowner. From Hong Kong to New York, the fastest was Sea Witch, sailing 15,000 miles in 74 days 14 hours. 154 years later, Great American II will challenge this record.

Event Website/ISAF Secretariat

World Sailing TV

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