Bruno Peyron on Orange II smashes world record

Skipper Bruno Peyron

Orange II and Bruno PEYRON's crew have set a new round the world record - subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) - of 50 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes and 4 seconds, achieving an average speed of 22.2 knots. This puts them ahead of Cheyenne skippered by Steve FOSSETT (USA), the previous outright record holder, by 7 days, 17 hours 12 minutes and 41 seconds and also ahead of Geronimo and Olivier DE KERSAUSON (FRA), the previous Jules Verne Trophy holder, by 12 days, 21 hours 39 minutes and 42 seconds.

Remarkable performance
By crossing the finishing line off the Island of Ushant, PEYRON and his 13-man crew have achieved a remarkable performance. They have smashed the records set by the American FOSSETT in 2004 and the French yachtsman DE KERSAUSON. No one on board would have dared to imagine when they set out at 1003 on Monday 24 January 2005 that they would achieve such a record.

Orange II, fastest ocean racing yacht
The Orange II maxi-catamaran, launched on Monday 22 December 2003, once again stakes her claim that she is the fastest ocean racing yacht in the world. Having already smashed the 24 hour sailing record (706.20 miles) and the Mediterranean record (Marseilles/Carthage), she has added this supreme challenge to her list of successes. This catamaran skippered masterfully by PEYRON, who built up a top level crew around him, has a fine future ahead of her, having shown she can swallow up the oceans.

Genuine record beyond dispute
PEYRON, during the radio report just after crossing the finishing line: 'It's more emotion than joy. It corresponds to the long hard slog. So there's no explosion. It's intense, violent, just like this round the world voyage. I really love this night, and we're going to try to make the most of it. Everyone is out on deck, and I don't think we'll be sleeping much before we get back on dry land, even if we haven't really made any plans. This is a genuine record, which is beyond dispute. The boat is certainly a classy creation and was handled by a superb crew.'

Pushing back the limits
DE KERSAUSON, the chairman and former holder of the Jules Verne Trophy, congratulated PEYRON and his crew on their fabulous performance around the world. 'The hurdle of fifty days is now within reach, showing the huge amount of progress that our sport makes each year. No other racing sport can claim to have made this progress, as each new generation of boat pushes back the limits still further. The Jules Verne Trophy remains the outright reference for human and technological commitment, and Bruno PEYRON has just added a new chapter, his third, to its history.'

Major moments:
The best day: 684 miles, 6 February, going down the South Atlantic.
The worst day: 166 miles, on 9 March, off Cape Verde.
Number of days above 600 miles: 12
Maximum lead over Cheyenne's time: 10 days, on 3 March

Source: www.maxicatamaran-orange.com

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