Lone Female In New Zealand Waters

Media Release
January 2007

Lone Female In New Zealand Waters On Reverse-Sailing World Tour

On 15th October 2006, 24 year old French yachtswoman Maud Fontenoy, onboard L'Oréal Paris, crossed the starting line on her way round the world, alone and non-stop.

L'Oréal Paris supports Maud in her project, called "Against The Current", that will see her sail some 25,000 miles on a course that many have called "Everest via the North face".

After rowing across the North Atlantic in 2003 and the Pacific in 2005, Maud Fontenoy set off from Reunion Island with her family, friends, sponsors and a host of admirers accompanying her on the water for her departure.

On board her 26 metre monohull, the L'Oreal Paris, Fontenoy's adventure begun in the Indian Ocean up to the Cape of Good Hope; then followed the Atlantic Ocean up to Cape Horn. Her current position is at the lower half of New Zealand, between Invercargill and Bounty Island after which she will leave the Pacific Ocean and back into the Indian Ocean for the last leg of her voyage around the world. She is expected to complete this journey in March 2007.

"What is waiting out there for me is going to be difficult and painful. They are times when you don't feel well; you're tired, dehydrated and highly stressed. I will have to look after myself and be as prudent as possible," Maud Fontenoy declared before her departure.

On her departure Roch Fontenoy, brother and coach, said, "I know she will make it to the end. I admire her for everything she does and that she has the courage to attempt it. Many people would like to do great things but they don't dare."

To check on Fontenoy's location and download recorded interviews please visit www.maudfontenoy.com

ENDS

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