Hancock Nearly to Bermuda

Brian Hancock was just 300 miles from Bermuda and 
expected to make landfall on dawn on Monday as Tropical Storm Alex gathered 
strength on a course that would take it west of the island. 

Hancock, sailing his Class 2 Around Alone entry Great Circle alone from Horta 
in the Azores, checked into his shore base at 1200 hours GMT on Saturday and 
reported he was sailing at 11.2 knots for Bermuda in an 18-knot southeasterly 
breeze. He had covered 182 miles in the previous 24 hours. His position was
His position was 30 deg 51 min North and 58 deg 147 min West.

"I'm sailing fast after two slow tedious days," he reported as Great Circle 
romped over eight foot swells. "The boat likes these conditions and I like my 
boat. However I've been long enough on this passage. I'm running low on food 
and I'm looking forward to land and people."

After reaching Bermuda, Hancock will announce his crew for the leg home to 
Marblehead, departing on August 12. Hancock has announced he will be joined 
by three campaign donors as crew on the 600-mile leg. The berths will go to 
the three highest donor/bidders.  Back in Marblehead, Hancock will continue 
to seek sponsorship for the Around Alone race which starts on September 26 
from Charleston, SC.