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PRINCESS ANNE SETS SAIL IN HISTORIC YACHT 'GIPSY MOTH IV'

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13 JULY 2006

For a keen yachtswoman like Princess Anne, a trip on the legendary vessel Gipsy Moth was inevitably going to be the highlight of a trip Down Under. And the Queen's only daughter looked suitably impressed as she joined its crew for a sail around stunning Sydney harbour.

The Princess Royal, who is on the final leg of an official Pacific tour which included stops in New Zealand and Fiji, spent a couple of hours on board the legendary Gipsy Moth IV after jetting into the city on Tuesday. Her visit coincided with celebrations in honour of the late Sir Francis Chichester's solo circumnavigation of the globe in the same vessel.

Kitted out in sailing jacket and sporty shades, the Princess had clearly regained her sea legs as she took in the harbour's famed sights such as the Opera House.

The six-man crew of the 53-foot timber ketch is currently recreating Gipsy Moth's record-breaking 1966 voyage in which Sir Francis set sail from Plymouth. En route the intrepid sailor stopped off in Sydney, where he received a rapturous reception.

The Princess, who is president of the Royal Yachting Association and patron of the United Kingdom Sailing Academy, was also guest of honour at the Gipsy Moth gala dinner and Australian Yachting Awards on Wednesday night.