Doctor to set sail on Atlantic challenge (From Western Telegraph)

Doctor to set sail on Atlantic challenge

PEMBROKE GP Bob Hannaford is taking part in this years ultimate challenge - the Challenge Transat 2002 yacht race across the North Atlantic.

The event is a series of two yacht races - from Southampton to Boston and back.

Bob will be taking part in the inaugural 3,300 mile race, which leaves Boston on September 29th for the UK.

Forty-eight year old Bob - who has just successfully completed his phase one training sail - will be racing in one of six identical 72 foot yachts.

The yachts raced around the world in last years BT Global Challenge, another of race organiser, Challenge Business, events.

As well as racing in identical yachts, the non-professional crews of 16 - made up from people from all walks of life - will also be equally matched on experience, ability and age.

The yachts will each have one professional skipper and one professional mate. And the winners of the race will be wholly dependent on which crew works most effectively as a team.

Training for the race needs to be of the highest possible calibre to equip Bob, who will be known as a crew volunteer, with all the skills necessary to take on the unpredictable waters of the North Atlantic.

His phase one training sail took place in the waters of the Solent and was under the watchful eye of Alex Phillips.

She said: Many of the crew volunteers have never even stepped onto a boat before they start their training.

Theres a vast amount Bob has to learn, from tacking, jibing, helming and watch systems to man overboard drills, weather routing and navigation.

The Challenge Transat is, as its called, a challenge, so we really do put the crew volunteers through their paces. In the race they will be racing hard in what could be some pretty harsh conditions.

Having said that, the sessions are also great fun because people are coming to grips with totally new experiences, as well as getting to know each other. Having Bob on board was a delight and I look forward to welcoming him back on his phase two training sail.

Bob, who on the successful completion of the training has moved even closer to his goal of racing across the Atlantic said: Turning a group of individuals into a team proved to be a very enjoyable experience and I am looking forward to the next session.