FED: Yachties aim to break around Australia record

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-1999
FED: Yachties aim to break around Australia record

Three Sydney yachtsmen will attempt to establish a new world record for circumnavigating
Australia.

The full-time yachting professionals are waiting for the next southerly wind after August
25 to leave Sydney, and hope to complete the non-stop sailing journey in 21 days.

This means the trio will have to maintain an average speed of 13 knots an hour to complete
the more than 15,000 kilometre trip in the specified timeframe.

Boat owner and renowned round-the-world yachstman KANGA BIRTLES says the specially designed
vessel is best described as an overgrown 15 foot skiff.

It took Mr BIRTLES 45 days when he last attempted circumnavigating the world's largest
island. He'll be joined in the new adventure by JOHN BANKART and JEREMY PEARCE.

Proceeds raised from the race will go to Youth Insearch, a national group for young people
with disadvantaged backgrounds.

AAP RTV kb/tsm/rp/kbw

KEYWORD: YACHT (SYDNEY)

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