On the morning of June 11, 2000, yachtsmen Grant Dalton and Bruno Peyron on board the maxi-catamaran Club Med (33.50m) set a new world speed sailing record, during their attempt to beat the East-West Atlantic crossing between Cadiz (Spain) and San Salvador (Bahamas), one of the qualification courses for The Race.
Club Med Race HQ / Sunday June 11th 2000 - 10.00.
The atmosphere was euphoric aboard the maxi-catamaran Club Med during a radio talk session this morning (06.00 GMT). The crew led by co-skippers, New Zealander Grant Dalton and Frenchman Bruno Peyron, had in fact during the night beaten the world record for the greatest number of miles sailed in 24 hours. This record previously set by the American Steve Fossett (580 miles) in March 99 was literally smashed in the early hours of this morning by the maxi-catamaran Club Med breaking for the very first time the 600 mile barrier, realizing exactly 625.7 miles (1158 km) over the 24 hours, at an average speed of 26.07 knots. This new record should be ratified by the official body, the W.S.S.R.C. (World Speed Sailing Record Council). Bruno Peyron who once held this record a few years ago with his catamaran 'Explorer' (547 miles in 24 hours) could not hide his amazement this morning: "We have just stopped the clocks and realized that we had passed the 625 nautical mile barrier. It's a really tremendous score and the whole crew can be proud. We are now waiting for the official ratification by the W.S.S.R.C. with which we are in contact in New Zealand. The boat is very fast and we were lucky to finally find the right wind conditions that we have been searching for over the last few days. With Grant, we set objectives in stages. First of all qualification for The Race, then an attempt to beat the East-West crossing record and finally if conditions allowed it, an attempt to beat the 24 hour record. Of course our secret ambition was being first to break the 600 miles in 24 hours barrier. No need to say that on board the whole crew is over the moon and proud to have achieved it."
Grant Dalton says: "On leaving Cadiz, we knew that we might have just one occasion to attack this 24 hour record and to do more than 600 miles, something that had never been achieved before. We are reveling in what we have just done. It is the result of the efforts of a whole team, the design team and all those who have worked on the project. Beating this record in the early days of our preparation is truly fantastic for all the crewmembers who are a little tired after these 24 hours of tension. We sailed on the same tack for the whole 24 hours with just one reef. It was magnificent -- pure speed! The most difficult part was remaining permanently concentrated on holding this performance."
24 HOUR FLIGHT ON THE ATLANTIC!
Grant Dalton and Bruno Peyron each had a turn during this morning's radio session with their race HQ commenting on these exceptional 24 hours: "This boat is a genuine flying machine. Starting with a cross-seaway, conditions were tough right from the start, then the sea gradually became flatter allowing us to accelerate. It's the first time that we have really pushed the boat to her limits. It was quite violent, wet and demanding for the men, there were permanently 8 on deck, all sheets in their hands. It was impressive despite the waves to note the perfect balance of the boat, easing her windward hull allowing us to go even faster. In 27-28 knots of wind, with full main, the boat was doing between 30 and 33 knots with peaks of up to 37 knots! It was magic to see! During the 24 hours, we drove the boat at 90 to 95% of her potential, then 100% for the last 8 hours. It's incredible to think that this boat was launched only 1 month ago and that she has already beaten the pure speed record. It's very reassuring and it's the best test of reliability that we can do. We are not yet perfect, but we are beginning to get a good idea of how to work the vital parts of the boat and how best to drive her. We must also take our hats off to the designers and the boatyard personnel who have done a remarkable job.
This morning Club Med had a 256-mile lead over the reference time for the Cadiz/San Salvador record realized by the titleholder Jet Services V in December 1988. Within the next few hours Club Med should be entering the Azores high-pressure area before descending on a direct heading for the Bahamas. The rest of the course could be more complex because the boat will have to tack in the trade wind.
The Race is the first ever, round the world, non-stop sailing event with no rules, no restrictions and no assistance permitted once the starting line has been crossed. There are also no restrictions on boat design for this global adventure. The only exception -- boats must keep the three great Cape, (Cape of Good Hope, Cape Horn and Cape Leeuwin) to port. The Race starts December 31, 2000 from Barcelona, Spain, and winning boat is expected to collect its $2 million prize by circling the globe within 60 - 65 days.
Posted: 6-13-2000
