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To mark the occasion, 120 leading Lithuanian sailors from around the globe will crew the Volvo 60 yacht ’Ambersail’. The yacht was designed by New Zealander Bruce Farr, and was built by the Green Marine Yard in Britain for open sea match racing. The crew will visit 24 Lithuanian communities across 19 countries and five continents.
The Ambersail will also visit Auckland as part of the Millenium Odyssey’s fourth stage leg, says Dalia Kubiliute of the Lithuanian Society of New Zealand.
Captained by Naglis Nasvytis, the boat is due to arrive in Auckland on January 8, following planned New Year celebrations in Sydney.
Each crew member is replaced whenever they arrive at a new continent.
The crew is expected to spend five days in Auckland before sailing to Wellington. In Auckland they will be welcomed by Lithuanian Society members, says Mrs Kubiliute.
Ambersail sailed from the port of Klaipeda in Lithuania on October 5, 2008. Sailors were presented with a flag by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and entrusted with letters to be delivered to every Lithuanian community they visit.
There will be 11 crew changes before Ambersail completes its mission, expected to take 205 days and cover 37,283 nautical miles.
It is scheduled to return to Klaipeda on July 6, 2009, when Lithuanians worldwide will celebrate King Mindaugas’ Coronation Day, an event that took place in the year 1253 when the country’s statehood was first officially recognised.
For further information please contact Society Chairman Gerald Sharrock or Dalia Kubiliute on (09) 480 9450.
The Ambersail will also visit Auckland as part of the Millenium Odyssey’s fourth stage leg, says Dalia Kubiliute of the Lithuanian Society of New Zealand.
Captained by Naglis Nasvytis, the boat is due to arrive in Auckland on January 8, following planned New Year celebrations in Sydney.
Each crew member is replaced whenever they arrive at a new continent.
The crew is expected to spend five days in Auckland before sailing to Wellington. In Auckland they will be welcomed by Lithuanian Society members, says Mrs Kubiliute.
Ambersail sailed from the port of Klaipeda in Lithuania on October 5, 2008. Sailors were presented with a flag by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and entrusted with letters to be delivered to every Lithuanian community they visit.
There will be 11 crew changes before Ambersail completes its mission, expected to take 205 days and cover 37,283 nautical miles.
It is scheduled to return to Klaipeda on July 6, 2009, when Lithuanians worldwide will celebrate King Mindaugas’ Coronation Day, an event that took place in the year 1253 when the country’s statehood was first officially recognised.
For further information please contact Society Chairman Gerald Sharrock or Dalia Kubiliute on (09) 480 9450.
