Sternpost section heads to New Zealand

YM reader Paul Emmerson has won a section of Gipsy Moth IV’s sternpost which has been mounted on a mahogany base with a commemorative brass plaque.

The draw which produced his name was held on 28 May to mark the 39th anniversary of Sir Francis Chichester’s triumphant return to Plymouth.

Paul, from Scarborough, said: ‘I am thrilled. The reason I entered the competition is because my brother, Graham, was a Lt Commander in the Royal Navy. He has just emigrated to New Zealand and joined their Navy, keeping his rank. I wanted to give him a parting gift of a piece of British nautical history. I know he will treasure this for the rest of his life.’

You can win other artifacts from GMIV including a mizzen mast winch, and a keel bolt as we will be giving them away over the course of the 53ft ketch’s circumnavigation. The keel bolt will go to another winner in a draw to mark GMIV’s arrival in Sydney in July 2006.

The mizzen mast winch will be presented to a third winner on the yacht’s return to Plymouth on 28 May 2007, 40 years to the day after Chichester’s historic homecoming.

For your chance to win click here .