One Man ... One Boat ... Around the World ... Alone

Toronto single-handed sailor Derek Hatfield is gearing up for the 2002 Around Alone Race, a five stage, single handed around-the-world contest.  Commencing in September 2002 and finishing in the spring of 2003, it will cover more than 27,000 nautical miles and take nearly eight months to complete.  Derek will battle the fierce winds, waves, and temperatures of the Southern Ocean, all by himself, in his quest to be first.

The Spirit of Canada is an Open 40 sailboat that has been designed and built with one parameter in mind; to be sailed by one sailor, around the world, as fast as possible.  From the start line in the USA, the racers will have stops in England, South Africa, New Zealand, Brazil and finish back in the USA.

The Around Alone is an athletic contest in its truest form - finely tuned individuals and their racing machines, circling the globe in a “no holds barred” fashion.  Only the world’s best all-around sailors, utilizing today’s most advanced technologies, are capable of participating in this race.  The Around Alone is also a great human adventure: one person, pitting him or herself against the elements for eight months, pooling their own resources of stamina, organization, self discipline and determination to triumph over the best and worst that nature throws at them.

Be sure to check out the Spirit of Canada website for more information on this incredible campaign.

Derek has been a friend of the Suspects and the Toronto sailing community for many years, and for that reason, we feel a part of this incredible challenge.  Prime Suspect Gord Burt has already assisted Derek in some aspects of construction, as well as preparation of the boat for the Boat Show.  No doubt we will come to his aid over the next nine months as he prepares for the race.

The Usual Suspects website will be following Derek’s progress until he crosses the finish line.  We wish him well.

Toronto Boat Show - January 2002

Spirit of Canada was a big hit at the Toronto Boat Show in January...if you were fortunate enough to find her!  The twelve foot canting keel placed the hull well into the rafters.  Some people simply walked right past, not looking up.

 

Derek was on hand for pretty well most of the show, talking to people, answering questions, signing autographs, and posing for photo opportunities.

 

 

The cockpit of the Open 40 is quite something.  Laid out by Brian Chapman of Quantum Sails, it is designed to be simple, functional, and reliable.  

 

 

Sponsorship

This is an expensive campaign.  The boat, sails, equipment, logistics, all cost serious money.  Fundraising for Spirit of Canada is an ongoing effort, and many sponsorship programs are available.  For $50, you can have your name on the side of the boat as it sails around the world.  Corporate sponsorships start at $500.  Derek is still in search of a title sponsor, however, given the growing interest in his campaign, one is certain to step forward.

There was no way that Derek was going to sail all the way around the world in this competition without the name of my company on the side of his boat.  The name Transcend Communications Corp. appears proudly on the port quarter.  Derek has promised to take me out sailing on Spirit of Canada sometime in February, a thrill I’m sure I will never forget.

 

  

Derek Hatfield with Prime Suspect Rob Charuk at Toronto Boat Show