Students at 17 local schools are gearing up to begin cyber correspondence with adventure sailor Alan Paris this week.

The students will have weekly contact with Mr. Paris as he undertakes his quest to become the first Bermudian to sail, single-handedly around the globe as part of a $150,000 education project to correspond with the Around Alone 2002 race which started on Sunday in New York.

Organisers hope the Learn Around the World project will re-awaken in students the spirit of maritime adventure which once was a key engine of Bermuda's success.

"We really hope this link-up will inspire students to look at Bermuda's rich maritime heritage," said former BUEI director Ralph Richardson, who is now executive director of the ACE Foundation.

"Much of the reason for Bermuda success in the 1700 and 1800s was a result of our reliance on the sea and maritime skills and abilities."

Both BUEI and ACE are sponsors of the educational programme along with XL and a private donor who has asked to remain anonymous.

The students will submit up to 17 questions per day to Mr. Paris as he undertakes his childhood quest to circumnavigate the globe.

They might ask about how and what he eats in the tight space available on the 40-foot sailboat (all freeze-dried food, which he boils on a small burner) or how the sailor manages to keep watch on his progress and still catch a few hours sleep.

The project is being administrated out of BUEI.

Education research coordinator Crystal Shultz told The Royal Gazette yesterday, in addition to the correspondence with Mr. Paris, students at the 17 participating schools will have access to a wealth of information and interactive learning programmes.

BUEI has provided teachers with educational packets to accompany the programme which link the students to educational packages from former round the world sailors as well as diverse sites dealing with everything from navigation to marine terminology.

The students will also map the sailor's progress as he proceeds through the five legs of the race - New York to England, England to South Africa, South Africa to New Zealand, New Zealand to Brazil and then finishing in Newport.

"Alan really embodies the sense of adventure Bermuda once had," Mr. Richardson said of the sailor.

"He sets an example of the adventurous spirit which has sadly been lost on the Island.

"More people have climbed Mount Everest than successfully sailed solo around the globe as he is trying to do."

The first leg of the race - between New York and Torbay, England - is expected to take him 15 to 21 days and Mr. Paris is competing on the smallest boat in the fleet of 13 competing yachts.

The overall race will take up to seven months as sailors battle weather, sea, technical hurdles and solitude.

Technical problems would pose a particular issue to Mr. Paris as his campaign aboard BTC Velocity amounts to only $500,000.

Some of the other competitors in this year's race have campaigns of up to $7 million in comparison.

Solo sailing around the world is also fraught with danger. In past events, sailors have flipped and lived for days in their hulls till rescue, broken masts and torn sails as well as a slew of smaller problems.

"Alan has just enough money for the race," Mr. Richardson told The Royal Gazette of Mr. Paris' campaign. "But if he has any kind of technical difficulties, he could run into trouble."

Extra finances to undertake repairs may become critical to his ability to continue the race, particularly as he will face a tighter repair window than the larger fastest boats.

All the competitors must start each leg of the race together from the ports of call. If one of the yachts is not ready to proceed, the sailor will be disqualified from the race although they may continue as a non-competitor.

Mr. Richardson said he hopes Bermudians will rally behind Mr. Paris' unique challenge, not only if he runs into trouble, but also by offering moral support.

"Bermudians travel," he said. "It would be really nice see Bermudians who are in the ports of call or who live in those countries go to the marinas and touch base with Alan to offer their support."

While many of the other competitors have crews supporting their endeavour who will meet them in each port, Mr. Paris is largely undertaking his challenge alone.

"Alan has really been doing it all on his own," Mr. Richardson said. "He'll be met in each port only by his wife and child.

"But, perhaps because he is less supported, the other sailors have really rallied around him to offer support and help.

"He's become one of the most popular sailors in the event."

Scooting across the race's start line first in the pack on Sunday, Mr. Paris has already grabbed international attention for the Island.

"I really hope all Bermudians will offer their support to his efforts in return," Mr. Richardson said.