Due to a death in his family, Joe Harris will be unable to skipper Gryphon Solo in the Charleston Bermuda Race that starts May 18th. Current Gryphon Solo boat manager Hugh Piggin will now be the skipper. Jeff Wargo, former manager of the boat when it was called Tommy Hilfiger and was campaigned around the world by Brad Van Liew, and Charlestonians Hank and Susan Hofford will join Piggin for this crewed event.
Harris will fly to Bermuda early next week to make the return trip to Newport RI to begin preparation for the solo leg of the Bermuda 1-2 Race, which starts on June 9th. This will be Harris' fourth B1-2, a single-handed race down to Bermuda and a double-handed race back, with the best combined time determining the winner.
Harris will also sail Gryphon Solo in the Marblehead to Halifax starting on July 8th.
The Gryphon Solo Summer starts with C2B
Gryphon Solo is back afloat following her winter refit at the Newport Shipyard and soon will be offshore on delivery to the start of her first event of the season, the Charleston to Bermuda Race, called the C2B. The race starts May 18th and is traditionally a downhill ride, a fast point of sail for Gryphon Solo.
Joe Harris, skipper and owner of Gryphon Solo, is in full pursuit of his round-the-world campaign and this is the first of three events this season as he trains for the Portimao Global Ocean Race ("PGOR") now scheduled to start from Portimao, Portugal in September 2008. The race start was pushed back a year and the name changed to accommodate the new title sponsor and host port of Portimao. The racecourse remains the same, with stops in South Africa, New Zealand, Brazil and South Carolina before returning to Portugal. The big red Open 50 will also sail in the Bermuda 1-2 and the Marblehead to Halifax Race this summer.
Gryphon Solo is supported by sponsorship from Iridium, Doyle Sailmakers, Awlgrip/Interlux, New England Rope and Alpine Air Food and is actively seeking title sponsorship and partners in this amazing race.
The full story of Joe Harris' campaign and sponsorship opportunities for the Portimao Global Ocean Race is at www.gryphonsolo.com.
Media Contact
Talbot Wilson
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