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The big sailing yacht "The Trading Network Scarlet Sails" displacing 22 tons, which is going to be used by the famous Russian traveler Fyodor Konyukhov for setting new world records, was launched in late December after being repaired at the French sea port La Ciotat. The Mediterranean test sailing in early January paved the way for a new round of Konyukhov's cooperation with the BASK Company - the manufacturer of clothes for Konyukhov's team in the forthcoming ocean sailing projects. The team wearing the BASÊ's Off-Shore yacht suits traveled along the route France - Canary Islands.
Fyodor Konyukhov's plans for the near future include crossing the Atlantic Ocean from west to east in March 2004, as well as a grandiose round-the-world lone sailing travel without calling at sea ports from November 2004 to March 2005. A joint round-the-world project concluded with a Russian TV company and envisaging the employment of satellite communication for correspondents on board the ship to come on the air through a direct access at any place in the world for commenting on events occurring in the ocean, is planned for the years 2005-2006.
So for the next three years Fyodor will be traveling over the ocean. Applications for ratification of three routes have already been sent to the organization for sailing records named the World Speed Record Council in England. In case of success of the project, Konyukhov is going to become the first person who has traveled round the world while sailing alone a maxi yacht measuring over 25 meters in length. The yacht is equipped with two autopilots and a satellite communication system; the ship's hull is made from maritime aluminum, and its 35-meter high mast is manufactured of carbon plastics. When the mast was being mounted, Fyodor put a copper coin under its base in accordance with traditions of ancient seafarers - it was an old-time 5-copeck coin that used to be in circulation under the rule of a czar.
14.01.2004
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