Orange II

[GordMay]

Follow the adventures of Bruno Peyron & crew aboard their maxicatamaran “Orange II”, as they attempt to win the “Jules Verne Trophy”* (& perhaps the 'absolute spped record) for the fastest circumnavigation under sailpower:
http://www.maxicatamaran-orange.com/

The Jules Verne Trophy has been held by Olivier de KERSAUSON and the crew of the trimaran “Geronimo”, in 63 days, 13h 59mins, since the 29th April 2004. The absolute round the world record has been held by the American Steve Fossett, in 58 days, 09h, 32mins, since 5 April 2004.

* The "Jules Verne" rules are simple - any wind powered yacht and any start time. The start and finish line runs between the Lizard Point on the south-west coast of England, and the island of Ushant off the coast of Brittany, France. Orange II started on Monday, January 24th, 2005, at 10h 03 mins and 07 seconds GMT.

The route is via the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leewin and Cape Horn.

An average speed of 14.32 knots is required, if the 26,000-mile circumnavigation is to be done within the 80-day time limit (the fictional Phileas Fogg record from “Around The World in 80 Days” by Jules Verne) .

[Talbot]

We have a race in UK around the Isle of Wight primarily for cruisers, although there are also classes for racing boats as well. The race is known as the "Round The Island" race and attracts a very large entry (abt 1500 official and numerous unofficial entrants).

I did this last year in my cat, and was a tad disconcerted to be lapped by Orange before I was a third of the way round