Another homecoming

This Saturday Conrad Humphreys returns to Plymouth

Date: Saturday 5th March, from 1030-1230 GMT

- 0945 GMT TV/Camera Boat leaves QAB Marina / Press boat leaves Mayflower Steps
- 1030 GMT Hellomoto sails into Plymouth Sound
- 1100 GMT Hellomoto sails past The Hoe
- 1115 GMT Hellomoto docks at Queen Anne’s Battery Marina followed by Broadcast Media interviews
- 1145 GMT Conrad Humphreys on Public Stage, in front of Royal Western Yacht Club
- 1215 GMT Olympic Flag Unveiled on stage

Plymouth-based Conrad Humphreys will be coming home to a West Country hero’s welcome when he skippers his 60ft race boat Hellomoto into Plymouth Sound this Saturday morning, 5 March. It will be the first time Hellomoto has entered English waters after finishing seventh place in the Vendée Globe on 20 February. Conrad himself will be welcomed officially back onto his ‘home soil’ by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth at the dockside.

Over in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, it is part of the magic of the event itself that no matter where each skipper comes in the race or at what time they arrive each one deserves a hero’s welcome for simply completing one of the world’s toughest human challenges. And Conrad was truly overwhelmed by the sight of more than 4,000 people who had lined the channel and flocked to the race village to welcome him and his round-the-world ‘companion’ Hellomoto back to land - in stark contrast to the previous 104 days, 14 hours, 32 minutes and 24 seconds he had spent alone at sea.

Back home in Plymouth, a spectacular reception is also being planned. Thousands of people throughout the south west region enthusiastically followed Conrad’s 3.5 month epic and eventful voyage, contributing to the 100s of daily messages of support and over a million monthly website hits. A major turn-out is expected both on the water and at Queen Anne’s Battery Marina, where Conrad will take to the stage to show his appreciation to his supporters and acknowledge the part they played in his achievement. Throughout the whole day and when Conrad is interviewed in front of the public about his experiences, a giant screen behind the stage will broadcast both live pictures of the homecoming, images from his arrival in France and previously unseen onboard footage from his circumnavigation.

Conrad commented at the start of the Vendée Globe that his inspiration for entering this race came from back home: “I remember being at the dockside to see Pete Goss sail back into Plymouth for his homecoming after the 1996/7 Vendée Globe, in which he rescued fellow competitor Raphael Dinelli. It was that very moment the seed was planted and ever since I have dreamed about doing this race.” Pete Goss, who has been following Conrad’s race with great interest, will be taking part himself in Conrad’s own homecoming with a video message of congratulations for the West Country’s newest solo circumnavigator.

The Vendée Globe is regarded as the ‘Olympics’ of singlehanded offshore sailing, and likewise is held every four years. Conrad intends to return to the 2008 Vendée Globe with a winning campaign and as an ambassador for the South West. As a mark of support for Plymouth’s own future 2008 Olympic sailors, he will invite up onto the stage UK Mirror Dinghy Champion brothers, Dan and James Ellis. This will be a great opportunity for Plymouth to show support for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games Bid, and particularly as the South West will be hosting the Sailing. As a finale, Conrad and the Ellis brothers will then sign the Olympic Flag together on stage to show their commitment to go and win in 2008.