BRITISH TEENAGER SET TO BECOME YOUNGEST TO CROSS ATLANTIC SOLO IN ANTIGUA WATERS - FATHER ARRIVES EARLY

English Harbour, Antigua – 11th January...British sailor Ian Clover, whose son is set to become the youngest to cross the Atlantic solo arrives a day early in Antigua to a warn welcome. Responding to reporters’ questions Clover said Saturday it was "sheer lunacy" that prompted the two to launch solo attempts to cross the ocean. 

Sebastian Clover, 15, who is due to arrive Sunday morning in his 32-foot (10-meter) yacht, Reflection, is set to become the youngest person to cross the Atlantic alone. 

About 50 people including Tourism Officials greeted Ian Clover as he sailed his 32-foot (10-meter) yacht, Xixia, into Nelson's Dockyard, which in the 18th century was a British naval base in south-coast English Harbor. 

Clover's wife, Dolores, rode in a power boat alongside her husband for the last 5 miles (8 kilometers) of his trip. 

When asked why he and his son undertook the 2,700 mile (4,344 kilometers) solo voyage across the ocean, Clover replied: "sheer lunacy." 

"There cannot be a good reason for doing what we have just done," the 46-year-old sailing instructor said. 

The two set sail Dec. 19 from Spain's Canary Islands, but separated on Wednesday as the rudder on Sebastian's boat broke. Ian said his son had fixed the rudder "with a number of shackles" and continued on his way. 

Sebastian "is deliberately slowing down four knots so that he can arrive first light" on Sunday, Clover said. 

Ian Clover said his month long trip was better than expected, with favorable conditions and little fatigue. 

The worst moment was when he could not contact Sebastian because his son's cell phone battery had run out, Clover said. 

"The previous day he had been followed by a pod of killer whales, and the following morning I could not contact him. That was scary," he said. 

He said Sebastian, who was 80 miles (129 kilometers) behind him, was enjoying himself despite the rig problems and the whales' visit. 

Antiguan Education Minister and parliamentary representative for the Nelson’s Dockyard community Dr. Rodney Williams told Clover that his son's landing would rank among the sailing feats of legendary British Adm. Horatio Nelson. 

"It really perpetuates the history and the association with Britain," Williams said. "We had Horatio Nelson when we had this as a naval base. Now we have Sebastian Clover." 

Ministry of Tourism Officials greeted Ian Clover at the Historic Nelson Dockyard and congratulated him for making Antigua and Barbuda a part of their historical accomplishment. Tourism Minister the Hon. Molwyn Joseph and Director General of Tourism Ms. Shirlene Nibbs that this is another positive moment for the country’s tourism industry which is its main income generator.

Both tourism officials say that they will use the Clover’s experience as a flagship for promoting the country in Europe and North America.

Governor General Sir James Carlisle and the Tourism Minister will on Sunday evening host a special reception for the Clover’s at the Copper and Lumber Store in English Harbour. (Ends)

Ian Clover waves from his boat on his way to Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua before completing his 2,700-mile trans-atlantic crossing from the Canary Islands, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003. The 46-year-old Briton and his15-year-old son, Sebastian who is scheduled to arrive sometime on Sunday, set sail on Dec. 19, 2002 and raced each other across the Atlantic. Sebastian is set to be the youngest person to make a solo crossing of the Atlantic. (AP Photo/Colin James)		Ian Clover speaks to the media at Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua after completing his 2,700-mile trans-atlantic crossing from the Canary Islands, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003. The 46-year-old Briton and his15-year-old son, Sebastian who is scheduled to arrive sometime on Sunday, set sail on Dec. 19, 2002 and raced each other across the Atlantic. Sebastian is set to be the youngest person to make a solo crossing of the Atlantic. (AP Photo/Colin James)

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