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 Previous: Elmers: A Guiding Hand |  Next: Nevada ARES Teams Support Red Cross in Fire Response |
NEWINGTON, CT, June 18, 2001--Ham-sailor David Clark, KB6TAM, now says he plans to sit out the Atlantic hurricane season and complete his round-the-world sail this fall. Clark left Fortaleza, Brazil, June 10, and expects to make Trinidad around July 1. There he plans to rest and wait out the hurricane season before resuming his adventure in time to celebrate his wife Lynda's birthday, November 18, by arriving at the Lauderdale Marine Center in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, that day.
"I can now give a date of arrival in Fort Lauderdale and hope that many of you will be there to say hello and share a glass of South African wine with Lynda and me," Clark said in a recent dispatch. He had been planning a July arrival in Florida.
Clark, 77, is seeking to be the oldest solo circumnavigator on record. Lynda Clark has been in regular contact with her husband via Amateur Radio phone patches. She reports Clark spent a couple of extra days on Fortaleza due to a flu-like illness. She said he told her he felt well when they spoke via ham radio June 11.
Luke Sampaio, PT7WA, Clark's host on Fortaleza, drew the thanks of both Clarks "for being a good friend." Lynda Clark said that while she's disappointed she won't be seeing her husband for another five months, the extended stay in Trinidad will make the remainder of the journey safer.
 Playing for his supper? During his voyage, Clark has supplemented his budget by playing clarinet gigs. Here, he's at "The Poop Deck" in Nassau, Bahamas with the restaurant's owner Eloy Roldan, a friend and supporter. He hopes to return there in the fall on his way to Ft Lauderdale. |
Clark said he plans to sit out the hurricane season--July through October--rest up, work on a book and "play some music for the people he meets in Trinidad," said Lynda Clark. David Clark has occasionally subsidized his journey's expenses by taking on clarinet gigs at his various ports of call.
 Clark with his west highland terrier Mickey aboard the Mollie Milar, his original sailboat, which sank off Cape Town, South Africa. The dog was lost during the rescue. |
Clark survived a disaster in February that sank his original sailboat, the Mollie Milar. His beloved canine companion Mickey was lost during the rescue efforts. Since leaving South Africa in a new vessel--named Mickey--Clark also has made stops at St Helena and Ascension Island.
"After many lonesome hours, the loss of my dog Mickey, jillions of mistakes (some almost fatal), hundreds of ports, thousands of miles, sleepless nights, innumerable gales, delightful sunsets, magnificent sunrises and the sinking of two boats--on November 18 I'll be able to say that I have the world's record as 'the oldest person to sail completely around the world solo,' and a long-term goal will have been fulfilled," Clark said.
 Clark's new boat, Mickey. |
He expressed his gratitude to "the incredibly friendly helpful, people that I've met all over the world that make the world record pale in comparison."
"I certainly realize as a result of the help of so many of you how very fortunate I am to have been able to have this wonderful experience. It's people like many of you that have made the voyage truly great."
Clark plans to set sail for Nassau, the Bahamas, in late October and may entertain at one of the Poop Deck restaurants in Nassau owned by his friend Eloy Roldan.
Clark left on his round-the-world adventure from Fort Lauderdale in December of 1999. An earlier attempt to circle the globe several years ago fell short when his vessel was dismasted and sank in the Indian Ocean.
Clark gets support from corporate sponsors, but he has funded much of the trip through Social Security earnings and occasional clarinet gigs. Hams along the way have provided financial aid and an occasional place to say, as well as communication back home.
For more information Clark's journey, visit http://www.dclark.com and http://www.captainclark.com.--Archie McKay, K4GA
| Previous: Elmers: A Guiding Hand | Next: Nevada ARES Teams Support Red Cross in Fire Response |
