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BBC News Online: UK

Tuesday, 29 February, 2000, 12:57 GMT

Gales delay giant yacht launch

Bad weather has delayed the launch of the UK's biggest ocean racer, built by yachting hero Pete Goss.

Although the 70ft-wide carbon fibre Team Philips is designed to sail through the storms of the Southern Ocean, the project's insurers have said the launch in Totnes, Devon, cannot go ahead in winds of more than 20mph. It cost nearly Ł2.5m to build.

On Monday night the boat was inched out of its hanger on to the quayside ready to be hoisted into the water, despite fears that gale force winds could scupper its maiden voyage. Pete Goss

But high winds and the flooded state of the river have forced Mr Goss, a 36-year-old former marine, to postpone the launch.

A Team Philips project spokesman had said it was hoped the launch could take place during a forecast "window" between two periods of high winds at about midday on Tuesday.

Mr Goss had been optimistic of success, and said: "If I was a betting man and wanted to see the boat hit the water I would turn up."

Race dreams

It has taken him five years to dream, design and build the catamaran, which is bigger than centre court at Wimbledon.

He has created the giant blue craft - one of the most technologically advanced yachts built - to break the 71-day round the world speed sailing record, and win a no-holds-barred circumnavigation, called The Race, later this year.

The yachtsman is no stranger to adventure. In 1996 he became an overnight hero when, racing single-handed around the world, he turned his boat back into hurricane force winds to rescue fellow competitor Raphael Dinelli.

Website popularity

His actions saved the Frenchman's life, and Mr Goss was awarded the Legion d'Honneur by President Chirac.

Enthusiasts have travelled to see the launch from all over the UK and many parts of the world, including the United States and Australia.

Thousands more are expected to log on to the project's websites to see the launch when it happens.

Then Mr Goss and his five-man crew plan to take Team Philips to sea for the first time before the vessel is sailed up the Thames to be named by the Queen on 14 March.

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