Fossett smashes record
2004-04-05 18:50
London - American adventurer Steve Fossett and his crew of 12 became the first sailors ever to circumnavigate the globe in under 60 days, beating the previous record by almost six days on Monday.
Fossett's 125-foot (38-metre) maxi-catamaran Cheyenne crossed the finishing line off Brittany, France, in 58 days, nine hours, 32 minutes and 45 seconds, said John Bee, a spokesman for his Fossett Challenge team.
Fossett was five days, 23 hours, four minutes and 39 seconds faster than the Frenchman Bruno Peyron took in his boat Orange in 2002.
The 59-year-old former businessman's time is however subject to official ratification.
Cheyenne left Plymouth on the south coast on February 7 and reached the Isle of Ouessant to cross the imaginary finish line on Monday at 1443GMT.
Peyron immediately sent his congratulations to Fossett.
"I salute the sporting achievement of the entire crew of Cheyenne for this round the world voyage," said the Frenchman.
"This boat has once again shown its potential, which has culminated today in an impressive number of records."
Fossett's attempt nearly ended when a failed forestay almost brought down the 143-foot (45-metre) mast early in the bid.
Nick Leggatt of South Africa
His crew worked 16 hours to repair the damage and keep the attempt on course. The incident occurred while Cheyenne and her crew were nearing the completion of day 16.
The only woman on the crew is 39-year-old Australian Adrienne Cahalan. A 12-time veteran of the Sydney-Hobart race, she was also navigator on Fossett's 2002 Fastnet Course world record on PlayStation.
The rest of the crew is David Scully the 47-year-old American who shares the watch-captain duties with Brian Thompson, 41, of Britain, Jacques Vincent of France, Mark Featherstone, the engineer from Britain, Damian Foxall of Ireland, Mike Beasley of New Zealand, Fraser Brown of New Zealand, Nick Leggatt of South Africa, Guillermo Altadill of Spain, Paul Van Dyke, the sail co-ordinator from the US, and Ireland's Justin Slattery.
Fossett currently holds 10 of the 13 world speed sailing records, and made the first solo round-the-world manned balloon flight in 2002.
Pilot, balloonist, yachtsman and endurance sportsman, Fossett has made aviation records and speed sailing his specialities.
He has also competed in the Iditarod dogsled race in Alaska, swum the English Channel and raced in long-distance cross-country skiing events.
He now plans to fly non-stop round the world and break the glider world altitude record.