Dozens of well-wishers, including St. Augustine officials and business associates, stopped by the home of Dr. Stanley Paris to give him a send-off on what he hopes will be a recording-breaking voyage around the world.
Paris, 76, will depart St. Augustine on Saturday all alone aboard his 63-foot sailing yacht, Kiwi Spirit, and head northeast to Bermuda.
But he won’t actually stop there, or anywhere else, for that matter. After rounding Bermuda, he’ll begin challenging the existing around-the-world sailing record set by Dodge Morgan in 1986. He expects the journey to take 120 days and will be sailing solo, nonstop and unassisted around the great capes. And he’s determined to do it green — though his boat has an auxiliary engine, he does not plan to use it, unless there’s an emergency.
If he’s successful, he will become the oldest documented person in the world to have made such a trip. Even for a seasoned sailor like Paris, it’s a big deal, one he’s been preparing for months. Now it’s down to just a few days.
“I’m trying to remain calm,” Paris said in his native New Zealand twang. “But I’m about as ready as I could possibly be.”
His son, Alan, who sailed the around the globe solo in the Around Alone race of 2002-2003, welcomed visitors aboard and answered general questions about the equipment before sending them down below, where Stanley was waiting in the galley to give a tour of the vessel’s interior.
Stanley said lots of folks have stopped by to get a look at the boat.
“We’ve had several parties here at our dock,” he said. “Literally hundreds of people have taken a tour. On Friday, it was faculty and staff of the University of St. Augustine, and Saturday, it was several yacht clubs in the area and a running club. (There were) more than two hundred on that night alone.”
St. Augustine City Commissioner Leanna Freeman was there Monday with her husband, Heinz Dauth, and their daughter, Lana.
“I just think this is phenomenal,” Freeman said. “This is a true life adventure, better than it gets in books or movies. And Stanley is amazing. We’re really lucky to have him right here in St. Augustine.”
Lana, 7, who has been sailing with her family in the Caribbean, said she was impressed with the boat, both in terms of size and luxury.
“It’s a lot nicer than some of the boats I’ve been on,” she said. “I like it a lot.”
Dana Ste. Claire, director of the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration, brought Paris a large 450th flag that will make the trip with him.
“We’re thrilled that he’s going to be leaving from the nation’s oldest port, carrying the name of St. Augustine around the world,” Ste. Claire said.
“As such, we’re making this a signature 450th event.”
Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline will be on the dock to officially see Paris off Saturday at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina.
“It’s spectacular,” Sikes-Kline said. “We’re excited for him, and we’re proud that he’s not only departing from St. Augustine, but will return here when he’s finished. We wish him well.”
Mayor Joe Boles is out of town for the holiday, Sikes-Kline said.
Paris said he was grateful for all of the support he’s gotten, singling out one person in particular.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank my wife, Catherine, for all her support both in permitting me to undertake this adventure, and for never once questioning my decision,” he said. “She has helped with every step of the process, lending me all manner of support. She has allowed me to focus this year on my circumnavigation.”
