Race still on despite Cape Horn proposal

A romantic mid-ocean marriage proposal hasn't dimmed competition between two rival Global Challenge yachties.

Graham Thompson, of the yacht Pindar, and Laura Alexander, of BP Explorer, met up for the first time last night since he proposed on December 6 over VHF radio, as the fleet cleared Cape Horn.

The proposal ended weeks of planning and subterfuge on Mr Thompson's part.

Mr Thompson, 31, had found a ring in Buenos Aires and given it to one of Miss Alexander's crew mates.

"We were approaching Cape Horn and all the yachts were quite close. I called her over the VHF and everyone could hear."

Miss Alexander, 30, said the tight race meant she had been working hard on the foredeck and was initially reluctant to come to the radio.

When he proposed, her fellow crew member bent down on one knee and offered the ring. She burst into tears.

"I was just overwhelmed. It's the most romantic thing he's ever done."

Cheers broke out from the surrounding boats - and over the radio - as the crew aboard BP Explorer popped open a bottle of champagne.

"Then he dropped another bombshell," Miss Alexander said.

Mr Thompson revealed he had already organised the entire wedding, to be held in a park in Sydney on February 18, after the next leg of the race.

"Her brother lives in Sydney and she wanted to get married in a park.

"I told her all she had to do was turn up - and find a wedding dress."

Mr Thompson said he proposed at Cape Horn because "all sailors dream about sailing it" and he wanted a good story to tell their children.

The pair, both British, met after they separately registered to take part in the Global Challenge and ended up on the same sailing courses.

Both yachties said the proposal hadn't affected their competitiveness.

"I'm still a competitive person," said Miss Alexander.

However, Mr Thompson said if one other boat was to do well in the race, he wanted it to be BP Explorer.

- NZPA