Bullimore reaches Doha

News from the Oryz Quest in Qatar

5 weeks after leaving Bristol, England, Tony Bullimore and his 'Daedalus' crew arrived at Doha, Qater on Saturday 22nd January, in readiness for the start of Tracy Edwards' Oryx Quest non-stop round the world race starting in two weeks time.

Bullimore's 102ft catamaran was the first of three race entries to reach the Gulf State and was followed a day later by the French rival Geronimo.

Cheyenne is due to arrive by ship later this week, and Qatar 2006 the former Club Med/ Maiden which has been undergoing a refit in Doha, will also be slipped back into the water ready for the race.

On completing the 4,000 mile delivery trip yesterday, Tony Bullimore said: "This is the longest sail any of us have made just to get to a start line, but it has been very useful in getting both boat and crew up to speed."

The crew will now take a day out to get a good night's sleep, phone home and enjoy the luxury of restaurant food before taking the two engines out of the Big Cat to lighten weight, make a final check on rig and sails, and replenish stores in readiness for the 23,000 mile race starting from the Qatar Capital on 5 February.

More photos on page two...