On a crisp Boston evening Gryphon Solo officially became Wells Fargo - American Pioneer as CynDee Novitch, wife of Wells Fargo representative Doug Novitch smashed an obligatory bottle over the bow. It was a fitting ceremony for a boat that looked resplendent in it's new livery. One would hardly guess that this same yacht had already twice been sailed single-handed around the world. A small crack in the cabin window and some scuffing in the companionway were the only sign that this great yacht had already sailed almost 70,000 miles. In the fading Boston light the boat looked brand new.
The renaming ceremony took place outside the offices of the law firm Goulston & Storrs, one of the Presenting Sponsors of the Gryphon Solo campaign. Their magnificent building, adjacent to Rowes Wharf, could not be better located. When Joe completes The Transat later this summer, he will finish right outside their offices with the finish line located between the rotunda on Rowes Wharf and the Hyatt Hotel across Boston harbor.
After the naming ceremony guests were invited inside for cocktails and slide and video presentation. Many of the 150 invited guests and media were not familiar with solo ocean racing and the multimedia presentation went a long way toward showing them the excitement and challenge of open ocean sailing. It was also an opportunity for Joe Harris to thanks all his sponsors for helping his dream become a reality.
This coming weekend Joe and his crew will set sail from Boston heading for Plymouth, England and the start of The Transat.
- Brian Hancock (great.circle@verizon.net)
