Wild seas, sea containers and sharks. These are just some of the obstacles Allison Shreeve (27), four times windsurf world champion and speed record holder (70 km per hour), will face during her attempt to cross Bass Strait in record time at the end of this month.
In 1998 Nick Maloney completed the 240 km journey from Stanley, Tasmania, to Inverloch, Victoria, in 21 hours. Allison thinks she'll be able to smash his record and cross one of the most treacherous stretches of ocean in seven hours.
Allison will windsurf across Bass Strait as an ambassador for Coastcares Life on the Edge Campaign to raise funds for coastal care. She also hopes to increase her exposure in an attempt to try and find a sponsor for the 2012 Olympics.
The world champion has prepared herself rigorously: running hundreds of miles, sailing extensively on Botany Bay and spending long days in the classroom participating in courses required by captains and crew for offshore sailing.
Pacific Sailing School armed Allison with a Yachting Australia Offshore Crew Course, a Marine Radio Course and a Safety and Sea Survival Course in Mackay. Principal Terry Wise of Pacific Sailing School will also be on the support boat which will follow Allison during her Bass Strait Challenge.
During her race Allison will keep a GPS-transmitter on her vest which will allow people to log onto her website to check her progress in real time. For live footage of the Bass Strait Challenge go to www.aus911.com and www.bassstraitchallenge.net.
Terry will take the support boat accross Bass Strait this monday and we hope to start the challenge this wednesday 25th March 2009.....ye ha



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