| NORFOLK, VA, USA-(30-5-2003) American skipper Steve Fossett and crew aboard the 125' maxi-cat PlayStation are planning an attempt to regain the 24 Hour Record in sailing, targeting the current mark of 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 the successful TransAtlantic record run of October, 2001.
Steve wrote this morning:
`We're going for it. The previously considered start on Friday was scrubbed in favor of Saturday, 31 May. We will start 200 miles northeast of our base in Norfolk on the northern edge of the Gulf Stream about 37N 72W. Winds should be SSW building from the 20 knot range to about 30 knots. We will choose our starting time when the wind speeds are sufficient, but before the seas build above 4 feet. Then we will sail ENE for 24 Hours.
We plan to leave the dock at Bay Point Marina in Norfolk, Virginia at sunset tonight. Start time should be about noon on Saturday. The return trip to Norfolk or Newport will be upwind and will take at least 2 days. - Steve`
Crew:
Steve Fossett, Skipper
David Scully, Watch Captain
Nick Leggatt
Paul Van Dyke
Tom Weaver
Mark Featherstone
Sarah Lynch
Tim McKegney
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, please see:
www.fossettchallenge.com
Progressive History of the 24 Hour Record since 1852
390 n miles, May-1852, skipper Charles Low, vessel N.B. Palmer (USA) New York - San Francisco 16.3 kts
421 n miles * , Mar-1853 skipper Lauchlan McKay, vessel Sovereign of the Seas (USA) NW of Cape Horn 17.5 kts
438 n miles, Jan-1854, skipper Charles McDonnell, vessel Marco Polo (England) 18.3 kts
462 n miles *, Dec-1854, skipper Alexander Newlands , vessel Champion of the Seas (England) England To Australia 19.3 kts
482 n miles *, Aug-84, skipper Loic Caradec, vessel Royale II (France) Quebec - St. Malo Race 20.1 kts
511.7 n miles, Aug-84, skipper Mike Birch, vessel Formule Tag (France) Quebec - St. Malo Race 21.6 kts
520 n miles, 1987, skipper Philippe Poupon, vessel Fleury Michon VIII (France) NW Atlantic 21.7 kts
522.73 n miles, Jun-90, skipper Serge Madec, vessel Jet Services 5 (France) NW Atlantic 21.8 kts
524.6 n miles, Jan-94, skipper Olivier de Kersauson, vessel Lyonnaise Des Eaux (France) Atlantic - RTW Attempt 21.9 kts
540 n miles, Jun-94, skipper Laurent Bourgnon, vessel Primagaz (France) N W Atlantic 22.5 kts
547.3 n miles, Oct-94, skipper Bruno Peyron, vessel Explorer (France) N W Atlantic 22.8 kts
580.23 n miles, Mar-99, skipper Steve Fossett, vessel PlayStation (USA) Auckland to Norfolk Is. 24.2 kts
625.7 n miles, Jun-00, co-skippers G. Dalton & B Peyron, vessel Club Med (NZL/FRA) Atlantic-Discovery Route 26.1 kts
655.13 n miles, Feb-01, skipper Grant Dalton, vessel Club Med (NZL/FRA) The RACE - Southern Ocean 27.3 kts
687.17 n miles, Oct-01, skipper Steve Fossett, vessel PlayStation (USA) N W Atlantic - TransAtlantic record run 28.63 kts
694.78 n miles, Jun-03, co-skippers Brian Thompson, Helena Darvelid, Adrienne Cahalan, vessel Maiden 2 (UK) W Atlantic 28.95 kts
(* adjusted to 24 hrs)
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