British sailing legend Alan Goodwin is latest recruit to Team Britannia’s round-the-world record attempt
British sailing legend Alan Goodwin (79) is the latest recruit to Team Britannia’s round the world powerboat record attempt.
The former Royal Navy Submariner, who was part of the famous 1998 Cable & Wireless word record attempt has joined Team Britannia’s crew as its’ Land Director.
Mr Goodwin will join the project led by international adventurer Alan Priddy, which hopes to cut seven days off the current record of 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes, held by Kiwi Pete Bethune. He will be responsible for the Team’s massive shore based operations, ensuring that its’ growing crew are fully prepared for the 23,000 nautical mile voyage along with in port events.
Crucially he will oversee the resupply of the 80ft vessel, including bunkering, with a goal of making sure that the Alan can get the boat in and out of the six stops in just four hours. He will be helped by a 25 strong land based team who are responsible for monitoring the vessel’s position and performance, emission data, safety, communications and public relations programme.
Team Britannia will use a specially built boat that will cut through the waves, rather than going over the top of them or trying to “submarine” under them. The ground-breaking design, the work of Hampshire based Professor Bob Cripps will make the boat much more stable and reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.
Mr Priddy commented: “Alan’s unique skills set and understanding of our challenge is a major boost to the record attempt. He was part of the hugely successful 1998 Cable & Wireless project, which set the record and is a legend in the sailing community. I am delighted that he is joining our team and that we can draw on his five plus decades of experience. It is pleasure, honour and privilege to have him as part of the team.”
Mr Goodwin added: “I had always assumed that opportunities like this only come along once in a lifetime. So I am proud to be part of a second round the world powerboat record attempt – an attempt that I am confident will bring home the world record to Great Britain.
Alan who lives in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, but is originally from Cheshire has a hugely impressive naval and sailing career. He served seven years in the Royal Navy as a sub mariner, before setting up his own successful international business, which had offices around the world including Russia and Libya. Originally into racing cars, Alan decided to switch back to water following two major crashes, sponsoring a race boat and becoming its navigator. It was during this time he raced with powerboating icon Stuart Raven, then in 1998 he was selected to be part of crew on board Cable and Wireless.
Following the success of Cable & Wireless, Alan continued racing helping the world renowned Steve Curtis run the Honda Series. He then went on to help Mike Lloyd run the tremendously successful Round Britain race in 2008.
Still active in the powerboating racing, this great grandfather will turn 80 next month, but shows no signs of slowing down. “Age means very little to me,” he says, “the important thing is the experience I have amassed during a lifetime of powerboating and sailing, which I hope will help Team Britannia break the world record, which as I know is still one of the hardest and most complicated challenges to undertake.”
“The reason it is so tough is because it has so many elements to it: design, innovation, engineering, logistics, physical and mental tenacity, the weather and all the dangers you encounter at sea,” he added.
In addition to fuel-efficient design, the boat will use a pollution cutting Water-in-Diesel (WiDE) fuel emulsion power the two race-tuned Fiat Power Train C13 500, 6 cylinder engines. The boat is being built by the Aluminium Boatbuilding Company who are based near Portsmouth and will be fitting the latest navigation and communications equipment from the British marine industry.
The record attempt will use the iconic Europa Point in Gibraltar as its timing mark, before going to Puerto Rico, Manzanillo, Honolulu, Guam, Singapore, Oman and Malta to take on fuel.
Mr Priddy concluded: “I have known and admired Alan for many years. He is a titan of the powerboating community and I am delighted that we will be able to draw on his wealth of experience and expertise to make sure we smash the world record for Great Britain.”
ENDS