Welcome Matt Rutherford Tomorrow, Saturday, April 21, 2012, Matt Rutherford will be completing an amazing journey - a 25,000 mile journey around North and South America - SOLO - on a 40-year old Albin Vega 27 sailboat. When he arrives at the National Sailing Center & Hall of Fame's docks in downtown Annapolis, he will enter the record books as the first person ever to make the 300-day journey solo and nonstop.
“I often ask myself why the hell I’m out here,” admitted Matt, a 30-year old Marylander. “I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy exploring. Heck, I enjoy being in the middle of the desert, or on top of a mountain – I’ve done that too. But to me, the ocean really is the ultimate wilderness, or to borrow a line from Star Trek, it’s truly the final frontier. Being out here alone, well it’s a way to figure out what you are made of. You can’t beat the ocean, but you do build a bond with the ocean. And there’s beauty with being part of nature.”
Come to the NSHOF docks tomorrow at noon to welcome Matt as he sets foot on dry land for the first time in many months. Gary Jobson, president of US Sailing and author of 17 sailing books, will preside as the emcee for the welcoming ceremonies.
Matt Rutherford began this historic voyage to raise $250,000 for Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), a nonprofit sailing program for people with disabilities based in Annapolis, MD. Read more about Matt Rutherford and his adventure in this Sailor of the Week story from US Sailing.
If you can't be there in person, you can welcome Matt by making a donation to CRAB online at www.crabsailing.org or by calling 410-626-0273.
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