The torch of American single-handed offshore sailing has been passed from recent Around Alone race winner Brad Van Liew to Joe Harris, an experienced offshore sailor with the right combination of skills, desire and resources to carry forward Van Liew's success in a sport traditionally dominated by Europeans. Harris will campaign in a series of Trans-Atlantic ocean races. This sport pits one man and one boat against nature's most isolated and formidable environment - the sea.

Success, however, will require a team of professionals backing the skipper, as well as partnerships with sponsors and suppliers that showcase the very best of American creativity, enterprise and technology. The Gryphon Solo campaign has already taken these bold steps as its campaign grows:

1) Purchased the fastest 50-foot sailboat in the world - Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America won the 2002/03 Around Alone race. Renamed Gryphon Solo, she holds the 24 hour speed record for Open 50 class.

2) Assembled a formidable team - PR professional Talbot Wilson will provide extraordinary coverage for sponsors; Hugh Piggin, a Kiwi sailor with vast ocean racing experience and a broad boatbuilding skill set is Gryphon Solo's boat manager; Blake Jackson, internet guru, manages the GS web site and communications.

3) Sailed to second place finish in the solo 2004 Transat Race from Plymouth, England to Boston, MA - Joe sailed across the Atlantic twice in the Spring of 2004 and took a second place finish in the 50' monohull class of the Transat Race in a time of 16 days.

4) Sailed to a first place finish in the 2005 Transat Jacques Vabre race - Joe sailed from LaHavre France to a victory celebration in Salvadore, Brazil in a time of 19 days.

5) Sailed to first place in division of the 2006 Newport-Bermuda Race.

6) Sailed to first place overall and single-leg record setter in the 2007 Bermuda 1-2 Race.