Spain issued in July 2007 a minisheet, made up of six stamps and six vignettes with no postal value. One of the stamps depict the yacht Le SOURIRE. The Spanish Post web-site has the following info on the stamps:
The minisheet was issued on the occasion of the Sports series devoted to the television programme “On the edge of the Impossible” (Al filo de lo Imposible.)
The team of Al Filo, dressed in special suits to face the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean, dived amongst the massive blocks of ice discovering the vast biological reserve lying under the ice floes. In this region of the world, sea life develops in a dark and extremely cold habitat; a real challenge faced by the expert divers.
Mountain climbing in the Antarctic features in one of these stamps showing the hard work and effort carried out when climbing the frozen and inaccessible peaks such as the Scott, Shackleton and Wendell. Throughout three expeditions, Al Filo has climbed the Land of Queen Maud, the Ellsworth mounts and part of the frozen continent of the Antarctic.
Following on the routes of legendary explorers such as Ronald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott or Ernst Shackleton, Al Filo de lo Imposible has carried out some of the most important Antarctic crossings such as the South Patagonia Ice, South Pole, North Pole and the great Trans arctic crossing. The stamp depicts a picture of the Antarctic crossing achieved with no mechanical means.
To head south and follow the trace of whalers and seal hunters that in the XIX century went deep into the frozen waters surrounding the Antarctic, is the feat the main characters of Al Filo de lo Imposible have carried out on board the sailboat Le SOURIRE, which features in the vignettes and stamp devoted to sailing in the Antarctic.
Also travelling in a canoe amongst the massive fjords that surround the southern Chilean Patagonia is one of the great adventures undertaken by Al Filo de lo Imposible. Its aim to pay homage to Spanish sailors who in the XVI century travelled amidst the labyrinth of fjords and channels of southern Chile in search of a path towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Finally, the Iditarod, considered to be “the last grand race of the earth” that takes place in Alaska, means crossing the distance of 1.800 kilometres in sledges pulled by dogs. Al Filo did it in the style of the old settlers that crossed these lands in order to bring a vaccine to the inhabitants of this region that would save them from death.
The Le SOURIRE was built by Meta France Shipyard, at Tarara, Rhone Valley, France, for ?
1988 Completed as an aluminium Strongail hulled cutter under the name Le SOURIRE. Named after a small newspaper written by the painter Paul Gauguin, when he was living in Tahiti, translated in English it means “The Smile”.
Displacement 30 tons, dim. 19.60 x 1.4/3.4m. (draught)
Designed by Michel Joubert.
Cutter with a lifting keel, to enter shallow anchorages.
Two diesel engines, 95 hp.
Ketch rigged, sail area under full sail 190m².
Accommodation for up to 10 passengers.
2000 Was she refurbished.
In 2007 is she used for Antarctic cruise voyages, and based in Chile, sailed under command of Capt. Hugo Deligniéres.
Source: http://lesourire.com.ar/ingles/Sailing_ ... ourire.htm