Code Zero arrives

Around Alone's Japanese entry and first Open 40 makes it home

The first Open 40 to finish in Newport RI, and in third place for Leg 5 was Spirit of yukoh, skippered by Japan’s Kojiro Shiraishi, when he crossed the line here in Newport, RI, at 16:41:41 GMT (12:41:41 local time) this morning.

The breeze had come up from the east and the fog had lifted to reveal sunshine, allowing Kojiro to run downwind at speed to the finish. Fellow Japanese sailor, Minoru Saito, three times a BOC Challenge competitor, fired the gun to mark his finish, and ‘Koji' - or ‘Code Zero’ as he is affectionately known by the other sailors – lit a red flare and held it up proudly to mark his achievement.

Shiraishi was one of the youngest people to have solo circumnavigated the globe before this race, and had already sailed half way round the world from Japan to Newport to get his boat to the start. His inspiration and mentor was the late Yukoh Tada, previous Class 2 winner of the BOC Challenge, who committed suicide during the 1990/1 BOC Challenge: "When I was a boy, I read about Yukoh Tada doing the first BOC Challenge race and since then I wanted to follow in his footsteps. When he took part in the 3rd BOC Challenge I was his apprentice, but he killed himself during the race and so I decided to take on the mantle and achieve his ambitions for him. I think today Yukoh will be happy in heaven."

The worst moment in the race Shiraishi said was when the keel had become loose. "I really thought my race could be over. The best one has to be today! It’s my birthday in Japan already, and starts tomorrow here."

“This race was harder than I expected," the Japanese skipper continued. "I didn't have enough money or time before the start to be properly prepared, and during the race had to keep looking for sponsors along the way. Also we had a lot of problems with the boat. Next time I do this race, I will hope to be in an Open 60..!”

This leg he said he had finally sorted out his problems with seasickness. “Ever since I started sailing I have always suffered from severe sea sickness, and this race was no different. But I got a secret weapon before Leg 5 start - which comes from my new sponsor SEV Marine Max, who make natural energy products for boats - and I was not seasick at all during this leg!"

Meanwhile Class 2 skipper Derek Hatfield on Spirit of Canada restarted Leg 5 from Salvador to Newport RI today, although his official start time will be the same as the other boats, 13:00 local Brazilian time on 13th April 2003.

With 572 miles to go Alan Paris on BTC Velocity unfortunately passed the closest landmark on his homeland of Bermuda 50 miles offshore and at midnight. Instead he will have to wait until he flies back there to take up a new job at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

Paris has been reflecting about life after the Around Alone as his personal odyssey is coming to an end: "How does one feel about that, when a large focus of your life for two solid years, as well as those around you, has been influenced by this desire to achieve the 'Everest' of goals for an offshore sailor. The answer to that question will be different for all of us. I begin work on the 27th May, 10 days after prize giving. Although this will be a bit of a rush, I feel that it's important to get on with my new life 'after the Around Alone' as soon as possible. Down time will lead to reflection and some of those thoughts are bound to be quite emotional as the Around Alone family breaks up and we all go our separate ways, even though the bond that has been established during this race will remain forever."


Around Alone Overall Rankings – Class 1

1. Bobst Group – Armor Lux: 49 points / 115 days 18hrs 27m 23s
2. Solidaires: 45 points / 118 days 13hrs 54m 1s
3. Tiscali: 35 points / 159 days 20hrs 53m 11s
4. Pindar: 33 points / 131 days 20hrs 45m 49s
5. Ocean Planet: 30 points / 159 days 6hrs 41m 42s

Class 2

1. Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America: 50 points / 148 days 17 hrs 54m 42s
2. Everest Horizontal: 44 points / 170 days 0hrs 6m 28s

Spirit of yukoh: 36 points / 180 days 0hrs 6m 25s

Leg 5 Rankings - Class 1

1. Bobst Group – Armor Lux finished at 11:20:10 GMT 1st May 03 after 17 days, 19hrs, 20m 23s
2. Tiscali finished at 12:01:30 GMT 3rd May 03 after 19 days, 20 hrs, 1m 30s
3. Solidaires finished at 19:54:01 GMT 3rd May after 20 days, 3 hrs, 54m, 1s
4. Ocean Planet finished at 03:35:57 GMT 4th May after 20 days 11 hours 35m 57s
5. Pindar finished at 20:15:26 GMT 4th May after 21 days 4hrs 15m 26s

Class 2

1. Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America finished at 09:53:58 GMT 4th May after 20 days, 17hrs 53m 48s
2. Everest Horizontal finished at 15:50:47 GMT 5th May after 21 days, 23hrs 50m 47s
3. Spirit of yukoh finished at 16:41:41 GMT 6th May after 24 days, 0hrs 41m 41s

POSITIONS AT 1400GMT 7th May 2003

Class 2
Boat Lat Lon AvgBsp AvgHeading DTF

1. BTC Velocity 33 37.501 N, 64 28.835 W, 60.91 nm, 7.62 kt, 319 °T, 572.86 nm