23 February 2006
23rd February 06
Three young people from Northern Ireland all of which have previously sailed with The Ellen MacArthur Trust will fly out to join Gipsy Moth IV crew on leg nine of the historic circumnavigation from Balboa to Galapagos.
Laura Walsh, Maria Turner and Barbara Kennedy were selected for the Gipsy Moth IV trip after sailing with The Ellen MacArthur Trust during last summer, on a trip organised with The Northern Ireland Cancer Trust Fund. Since then the three girls, who are all in remission from cancer and leukaemia, have completed a training weekend at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA), getting ready for their trip of a lifetime.
The berths were provided as part of the ongoing relationship between The Ellen MacArthur Trust and UKSA. The Academy has provided all the logistical support to the EMT over the last three years and continues to provide yachts and skippers.
Laura from Belfast summed up the feeling of the crew,
“Representing The Ellen MacArthur Trust on Gipsy Moth IV is such a privilege and I’m looking forward to the challenge and opportunity. I can’t wait to see the wildlife and different sights and
experience life at sea. I am so excited to get out there and get going.”
The voyage will take approximately 17 days and the crew will be actively involved in all areas from sailing the vessel to washing up and providing daily updates for the Gipsy Moth IV website.
Stopping at 32 locations, visiting 25 countries Gipsy Moth IV will take 100 deserving young adults on a life changing voyage during it’s circumnavigation of the globe.