The legendary Soviet racing yacht «Fazisi», which last fall came under the crushing wrath of Hurricane Irma andwas already lying on a barge awaiting disposal for scrap, has found her savior. Yuriy Raulushko, a yachtsman and sailing coach who trained two Olympians during his career, bought the boat with a dream of restoring her to her former glory.
«I just could not allow the world-famous yacht, which was the only achievement of the Soviet Union in the ocean sailing competitions of the highest level, to disappear without a trace...», commented the current owner «Fazisi».
Completely built and designed in the USSR, thered aluminum boat made a lot of noise in the Whitbread Round the World Race (the progenitor Volvo Ocean Race) in 1989-90, whose other competitors were much bigger, heavier and faster. With a much more modest budget than its rivals, the team «Fazisi» then managed to successfully circumnavigate the world, turning the boat from an outsider to a cult.
The yacht has been owned by PYANA (Polish Yachtsmen's Association of North America) for the past years. Unfortunately, when the boat was hit by Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and washed ashore on Key West Island in Florida, the firmhad no funds to save it.
Yuri Raulushko personally sailed the famous boat as assistant captain. He covered thousands of sea miles on her, participated in repairs and maintenance, personally sanding and plastering the hull before the next painting.
«Upon learning that»was in danger of being scrapped,the now US residentyachtsman flew to Key West topay tribute to the legend and to say goodbye.
After lengthy and difficult negotiations with the Coast Guard, the Florida Environmental Protection Committee, and the previous owner's management, Yuri Raulushko bought the boat back.
Now rescued by «Fazisi» with the participation of the boat's chief designer Vlad Murnikov, with the support of the Inter-Pro Sailing Team, of which he is a member, and PYANA intends to restore the boat, breathing new life into her. Anyone interested can join their noble mission.
