It's a solo voyage but when Bermudian Alan Paris sets sail in the Around Alone race next month he will "have" a lot of people circumnavigating the world with him.

Family, friends, well-wishers and even strangers have put their money where their hearts are and - for $50 apiece - have had their names painted on the hull of BTC Velocity - the sleek, 40-foot vessel which Paris will call home for about six months.

"The names on the side of the boat are sponsors or people who just lent their support. It's called $50-Your-Name-Around-The-World and it's been a way for individuals and not just corporate sponsors to become involved in this," explained Paris yesterday.

The man bidding to stamp his name in the Island's history books as the first Bermudian to sail around the world singlehandedly expects the roll of credits to run at least three lines deep around the yacht by the time all the names are on.

Of course, up front and centre, on the bow are the names of those closest to him - his wife, Becky, and two-year-old son, Tucker.

It is just days now - depending on Tropical Storm Cristobal - until the 37-year-old waves goodbye to Bermuda and sets off across the Atlantic to the United States for the start of the race in New York.

"We've done all the preparations and it's time to go sailing. I'm looking forward to it ... and to giving the team who have worked on this some reward," said the sailor at his boat's christening at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

Paris, who has 26,000 miles of ocean sailing under his belt (17,000 of those alone), explained that the yacht is an Open 40, specifically designed and built for this race in Australia.

"The Open rule means there are no-holds barred except for safety. The safety aspects are paramount but after that you can do anything you like.

"As long as it comes back upright in the inversion test and passes other architectural tests, then it's good enough.

"Affectionately, I call it my 40-foot surfboard because when it comes off the backside of a wave it surfs," added Paris who plans on giving his country some clothing publicity by wearing Bermuda shorts at the start of each of the race's five stages.

Yesterday's ceremony was attended by Government officials, sponsors and Paris' fans, all of whom wished him a safe and successful journey.

Minister of Tourism David Allen said the venture will give "tremendous exposure" to Bermuda, adding that he hopes it will revive a "sense of adventure" in Bermudians.

The Minister then administered the christening rites to the $350,000 yacht by pouring a half-bottle of Gosling's Black Seal Rum across the bow as on-lookers clapped - some perhaps envying BTC Velocity.