SPIRIT of Teignmouth skipper Simon Chalk has announced that he is to take on the last great first in sailing history – an incredible solo round the world voyage the 'wrong way' round.. Mr Chalk, 33, from Ashburton, will become the first person to attempt to sail a multihulled yacht the wrong way around the world, against the prevailing winds and currents. It is a challenge that has never before been attempted and one that will take the utmost skill, determination and willpower to complete. The enormity of this challenge is not yet known; few have sailed around the world the right way and fewer have tackled it the wrong way. No-one has attempted to challenge the treacherous nature of the Southern Oceans the wrong way in a multihull. Multihulls are renowned for their speed down wind and excel in these conditions as proven by Dame Ellen MacArthur in her epic voyage when she took the record for sailing the fastest East-about circumnavigation. Multihull vessels mean more stability in the water, but it means that if it is knocked over, there is no way of righting it. Spirit of Teignmouth has been specifically designed by renowned multihull yacht designer John Shuttleworth to take on the challenge. Spirit of Teignmouth is 68ft long, 45ft wide and the mast towers 78ft above the decks. The yacht has been under construction for 18 months and is on public display in the purpose- built visitor centre and assembly site on the Den, Teignmouth. Mr Chalk said: 'I am no stranger to the ocean. I've helmed a 67ft monohull round Cape Horn the wrong way during the 1996/97 BT Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race, and I've rowed both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the latter in 107 days, solo. 'However, Spirit of Teignmouth promises to take my ocean adventures to a whole new level. It is a fantastic challenge. to break a record is an amazing feeling but to set one is just indescribable.' The voyage, anticipated to take anything up to 180 days to complete, will begin and end in Teignmouth. Mr chalk completed his first circumnavigation in 1997, rounding Cape Horn against the prevailing conditions, as crew on board Save the Children in the renowned, toughest yacht race in the world, the BT Global Challenge. In 1997, he took part in the first ocean rowing race from Port St Charles in the Canary Islands to Barbados, finishing the race in 13th place after 64 days at sea. In 2003, Mr chalk went on to became the first Briton – and youngest person – to row successfully across the Indian Ocean from Western Australia to Mauritius after 107 days alone at sea in his boat True Spirit. People can see Spirit of Teignmouth under construction seven days a week from 9am until 7pm. Admission is £1.50 for adults with children under 16 free.
