Singlehanded sailor, and four times Scottish Islands Peaks Race class winner, Alan Rankin has launched the Trade Winds Solo Round Britain 2013 Challenge where he plans to sail 2,200 miles around Britain and run 1,000k to raise funds for: Cancer Research UK, Parkinson’s UK, MS Society, British Heart Foundation and Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.

Alan will set off in June 2013 to sail around the British Isles and Ireland. The course will take Alan outside the Isles including the Hebrides, Shetland, Scilly Isles, Ireland and St Kilda. The voyage will be broken with stop overs where Alan will swop his sailing boots for running shoes and undertake a series of 10k fundraising runs at ten ports around Britain.

The challenge also follows a low carbon ambition using entirely renewable energy sources of; wind, wave and tidal propulsion supported by wind turbine and solar electrical power. During the trip Alan will consume food and drink supplied from sustainable producers based in Scotland.

Alan said. “I have chosen to support five charities as each one is working incredibly hard in their respective fields. My family has been touched by each of the conditions and causes the charities are fighting. Public donations will be taken via online and text giving services via the challenge website at www.soloroundbritain.com.

The voyage starts and finishes at Ullapool on the NW coast of Scotland and will head clockwise around Britain and its islands calling at; Lerwick, Blyth, Lowestoft, Brighton, Poole, Falmouth, Dingle, Broad Haven and Stornoway. Alan has support from a shore crew that includes a round-the-world-skipper, international sleep advisor, renowned weather forecaster and nutritional advisors as well as a team of fundraisers, web and social media specialists.

Not all plans have yet been finalised and Alan is contacting yacht clubs, marinas and local running clubs in each port seeking support and assistance. The whole trip will take up to six weeks with 48 to 72 hour stop-overs with departure dependent on weather forecasts.

Alan added, “I have been overwhelmed by the support from the marine industry and cannot thank the companies who have agreed to support the challenge. The list reads like a who’s-who of the marine industry.”

Alan will be undertaking the voyage in his F27 trimaran. The boat is currently undergoing a full refit with support from marine trade sponsors.

Alan Rankin
In 2006 Alan Rankin became the first person to fully circumnavigate Scotland by boat and bike. His 1,000 mile sail from The Solway Firth followed a course around the Outer Hebrides, St Kilda and Shetland Isles and then south to Blyth on the NE coast of England. From Blyth, Alan cycled the 165 miles across England to Gretna Green returning to his starting point at Kirkcudbright. Solo Round Scotland has raised £14,500 for Parkinson’s UK and Ocean Youth Trust Scotland. Alan represented Scotland in Athletics and is a seven times Scottish Decathlon champion, as well as four times Scottish Islands Peaks Race class winner.

To find out more, donate and follow Alan, visit www.soloroundbritain.com.