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Around Alone

John Dennis first skipper with diabetes in Around Alone

Qualification sail July 31st from Rhode Island to Horta, Azores

vendredi 26 juillet 2002 – Information Velux 5 Oceans

Ascensia, the new brand name for Bayer self-management diabetes monitors and services, today announced sponsorship for skipper John Dennis in Around Alone 2002/3. John Dennis, a 57-year old commercial real estate manager from Toronto, will be making history with this race as the first skipper with diabetes to compete in a solo global yacht race. The announcement was made in conjunction with the planned "rollover" today Friday, July 26th in Barrington, Rhode Island. The rollover is a dramatic test in which the boat and skipper are turned completely upside down in the water as part of the certification requirements for the race.


John Dennis has sailed more than 40 long-distance voyages covering more than 90,000 nautical miles. Adding a solo global race to his achievements has been his lifelong dream, but eight years ago, before he could achieve his goal, Dennis was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. His successful entry into Around Alone this year is the result of his diligence to bring his diabetes under control maintaining stable blood sugar levels, by monitoring his blood sugar several times each day.

"When I was first diagnosed I thought I’d never be able to fulfil my dream of a solo sail around the world, however, I‚ve learned that by regular monitoring and self-management of my blood sugar, I can be fit for racing," says Dennis. "Having diabetes does mean I have to work harder. Like any skipper I have to monitor the yacht systems and sails on a 24-hour clock, and because of my diabetes I also have to monitor my blood sugar without fail. But I am up to the challenge."

The dramatic rollover of Dennis’s open 50-foot sailboat involves using a crane to flip the boat in the water and turn it upside down with Dennis inside. The purpose is to both check the boat for leaks and test Dennis‚s ability to re-right his boat from a stable capsize. The test is required by the International Monohull Open Class Association as part of the certification requirements for the race. After the rollover the next milestone for Dennis is Wednesday, July 31st, when he begins his 21-hundred mile, trans-Atlantic qualifying sail from Newport, R.I. to the Azores. He will return approximately 26 days later.

Dennis has named his boat ’Ascensia’ in honor of his principle sponsor, Bayer. Ascensia is the brand name for Bayer’s monitoring products and services for people with diabetes including glucose monitors that allow people with diabetes to test a droplet of blood at different intervals during the day to measure their blood sugar levels. With diabetes it is important to maintain stable sugar levels by adjusting diet, medications and in some cases by taking insulin injections. Ascensia means to "ascend and achieve" and its slogan Your Life. Your Way. reflects what people with diabetes can achieve if they are diligent about self-managing their condition.

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