Contact: Soanya
Ahmad
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: 928-257-3100
Email:
Soanya@1000days.net
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE LONGEST SEA VOYAGE
IN HISTORY,
BUT IT’S NOT OVER YET
On January 16, 2010, New
York City artist, adventurer and sailor Reid
Stowe, on his 70 ft. gaff-rigged schooner
Anne, will finally have accomplished his
goal of remaining at sea for 1,000 days (2
years, 7 months and 4 days) without re-supply or
touching land, in the process setting or
breaking 4 world records.
Stowe, a NYC artist/sailor
departed land on April 21, 2007 to attempt the
longest sea voyage in history, 1000 days
non-stop at sea. The longest continuous time on
record was 657 days held by the Australian, Jon
Sanders after his triple circumnavigation in
1987. As Reid approached Sanders’ solo record on
Day 964 Sanders wrote, “Well done Reid. Good
luck mate.”
Stowe left port in 2007 and
was accompanied by his girlfriend and first
mate, Soanya Ahmad. Together they sailed from
the Hudson towards the Atlantic on a ship laden
with three years worth of food, solar panels for
energy, large tarps to catch rainwater, a
laptop, an iridium satellite telephone, and a
Metocean tracking unit that would verify the
path of the 1000 days voyage (see google map at
www.1000days.net)
Fifteen days out the Anne
was involved in a collision with a freighter in
the North Atlantic. After drifting for a month,
Stowe was able to repair the ship enough so that
the couple could keep going. Hundreds of days
passed sailing through storms, schools of
dolphins, flying fish, colorful sunsets, and
demanding physical work to maintain the
schooner. As Stowe and Ahmad entered the rougher
winds and waves of the Southern ocean, Ahmad
experienced debilitating nausea believing it to
be seasickness. She was transferred off the
coast of Australia to another boat which ferried
her to back to land where it was confirmed she
was pregnant. She returned to New York to have
her son.
Stowe continued on alone to
face the infamous Cape Horn, sail after sail
blowing out, low water supplies, one knockdown,
and a broken desalinator. Finally, in the
Pacific Ocean around day 550 things took a turn
for the better. Stowe completed a drawing in the
shape of a whale with the course that he sailed.
This was the second conceptual ocean art drawing
of his career, the first one being a drawing of
a sea turtle in the Atlantic in 2001 when he
sailed for 197 days out of sight of land. Stowe
continued on into the Atlantic and sailed a
course in the shape of a heart, which he
dedicated to the mother of his son Darshen, now
18 months old.
More than just a sailing
voyage attempting to create a record, the 1000
days at sea is an exploration into the spirit of
man. Stowe writes in his logs:
”I want to inspire people of spirit to venture
where they will and tolerate no hindrance to
their seeking. I forge ahead with intensity and
fierce emotion and hope and love for everyone
else. I hoot and cry when I suddenly see the big
moon after weeks of seeing no moon. This feeling
of awe and impulse to worship is at the heart of
my desire to be at sea and without it I would
sail fast to the nearest port.” (Day 630)
Armed with plenty of food,
supplies, a positive outlook and a strong
determination to finish successfully, Stowe
continues onward into the blue wilderness.
###
Please visit the official
website at
www.1000days.net to read daily blogs from
the Anne, see her current location, hear
audio clips, and much more.
Note: Beyond 1,000 days!!!
Day 1,000 of Stowe’s
challenging voyage (January 16, 2010) would put
his return to NY harbor in the middle of winter
when the storms of the North Atlantic are at
their peak. As a result, Stowe has decided to
sail with the variable winds and currents of the
Atlantic doldrums, planning to return instead on
Thursday, June 17, 2010 at which time he will
have passed 3 years and will end up at 1,151
days total.
1,000th Day Announcement Event
4 world records set or broken
15:30 to 16:30 – 16 January 2010
South Street Seaport Museum - 5th
Floor Gallery
12 Fulton Street, NYC NY
à RSVP–
Donna@1000days.net or 928-257-3100
ß
Featuring a live satellite feed from Reid
from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean
Followed by
1,000th Day Party & Celebration
17:00 to 20:00 – 16 January 2010
Ryan McGuire’s Ale House
28 Cliff Street, NYC NY
Just south of Fulton Street. Just 2 short blocks
from the Museum
www.1000days.net
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The program can be viewed in its entirety by
clicking the you tube link below:
