| 200 NM NE OF NORFOLK, VA, USA-(31-5-2003) With the wind blowing at just over 21 kts and coming from just west of south, skipper Steve Fossett and crew sailing aboard the 125 foot catamaran PlayStation began their attempt to regain the 24 Hour Record at 1800 EDT / 2200 GMT - heading eastwards across the Atlantic from a start point off the USA east coast.
Earlier today, Steve commented on the weather he was looking for:
` We've been waiting a month for the right weather. This is potentially the best system of the season - an intense low-pressure system with a fast-moving front, hopefully at up to 30-35 kts.
There is, in fact, a fairly narrow band with the right wind. Too far ahead and the wind drops to 15 kts. Too far behind and we'll fall into the front. It is important we can stay just ahead of it - as the winds within the front could be up to 55 kts - and that would certainly stop us.`
Crew:
Steve Fossett, Skipper
David Scully, Watch Captain
Nick Leggatt
Paul Van Dyke
Tom Weaver
Mark Featherstone
Sarah Lynch
Tim McKegney
Marion Goran
The current record is 694.78 nautical miles, set in June 2002 by Maiden 2 (co-skippered by Brian Thompson, Helena Darvelid and Adrienne Cahalan).
Steve and PlayStation have twice held this record, firstly in February 1999 at 580.23 nm off New Zealand, and again at 687.17 nm, set during their successful TransAtlantic record of October, 2001.
All of Steve Fossett's adventure challenges are supported by Michelob ULTRA, the new low-carbohydrate premium beer from Anheuser-Busch - the world's largest brewer.
For all Steve Fossett's challenges and to follow progress throughout this record attempt, please see: www.fossettchallenge.com
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