Around the world sailor Alan Paris is on the crest of a wave after the latest trials of his ocean going yacht.

The Islander, who is preparing to take part in the Around Alone race next September, is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after making the journey from Australia where his vessel, BTC Velocity, was constructed.

Four days after the yacht was lowered off the freighter in the US, Paris set off on a 350-mile test run to Jacksonville.

"I was very satisfied to have my father on board for this 'maiden' offshore voyage," he said. "The weather was a lovely 14 to 18 knots from behind and we took off immediately with just a full main and jib. We were sailing at nine to 11 knots and I thought this could be improved on so I hoisted the Velocity spinnaker and the boat speed increased to 12 to 14 knots and was very manageable.

"Actually the autopilot was steering most of the time, just like it will be in the Around Alone race."

As the sun went down the wind increased to about 18 knots and Paris kept the spinnaker up.

"My father took the first nap of the evening and, as the seas increased, so did the boat speed," he said. "We topped out at 16.9 knots around 1.00 a.m., so I decided to be a little more conservative and take the spinnaker down. We did 11 hours and covered 150 nautical miles, aided by a 2.5 knot current, and it was a rewarding first spinnaker run."

Later on the wind changed and BTC Velocity was hard into it, its speed decreasing to nine knots.

"This lasted for about 80 nautical miles then the wind died completely and the next 16 hours were under motor at only five knots," Paris said. "It seemed so slow after the exhilarating ride up to that point."

Paris is expected to arrive in Bermuda at the beginning of next month.

"We will be on the Island until approximately March 10 when I will do the qualifying run which is required in order to be accepted as a qualified entrant into the Around Alone race. This has to be of more than 2,000 nautical miles solo," Paris explained.

"This will be between Bermuda and Las Palmas in the Canaries - 2,300 nautical miles in a straight line."

Paris will then turn around and return to St George's, hopefully by April 15.