Fossett enters the history books

Startling new time for non-stop around the world voyage PLUS photos from Ushant by Thierry Martinez

More photos on the following pages...

This afternoon Steve Fossett and the crew of the 125ft catamaran Cheyenne entered the history books once again setting a phenomenal new time of 58 days, 9 hours, 32 mins and 45secs for sailing non-stop around the world.

Cheyenne succeeded in demolishing the record of 64 days 8 hours 37 minutes 24 seconds (average speed for the course of 13.98 knots) set by Bruno Peyron and the crew of Orange in 2002. This was only the third occasion that one of the new generation G-class maxi multihulls has attempted the non-stop around the world record and only the second successful attempt.

In total Cheyenne covered 25,650 miles at an impressive average speed of 18.3 knots (for the distance sailed). During this time they added several new records to their (virtual) trophy cabinet including:

Ushant-Cape Leeuwin: 25 days 14 hours 8 mins

Ushant-Cape Horn: 39 Days 16 Hrs 15 mins

Ushant-second Equator crossing: 50 Days 3 Hours 2 min

Cape of Good Hope to Cape Leeuwin: 9 days 20 Hrs 29 mins

Cape Horn-Equator: 10 Days 6 Hrs 47 mins

The valiant record-breaking crew led by skipper Steve Fossett comprised:

David Scully (watch captain) USA
Brian Thompson (watch captain) GB
Adrienne Cahalan (navigator) AUS
Guillermo Altadill SPAIN
Mike Beasley NZL
Fraser Brown NZL
Mark Featherstone GB
Damian Foxall IRE
Nick Leggatt SA
Paul Van Dyke USA
Jacques Vincent FRA
Justin Slattery IRE

Bruno Peyron who's record Cheyenne was quick to send his best wishes: "I congratulate all the crew of Cheyenne on their sporting achievement having sailed around the world. I can see that this boat has clearly once again shown her great potential, adding again today to an impressive number of ocean racing records. All the crew of Orange join with me to express our sincere admiration of the talent, courage and determination that such an exploit entails. I regret that this new record circumnavigation time was not placed within the reference of the Jules Verne Trophy. It is a pity that individualism and various personal concerns lead to situations that are harmful to the public interest and lead to a certain amount of confusion for the general public. As for the purely sporting element, we know full well that a record is made to be beaten and that our giant cat Orange II has got what it takes and certainly has once again the full potential to pick up the gauntlet. We are ready and are definitely not the sort of people to give in that easily...".

Significantly Cheyenne has broken the non-stop round the world record as stipulated by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. He is not eligible for the Jules Verne Trophy because he could not reach agreement with the Jules Verne Trophy Association over the entry fee of 30,000 Euros. For this reason Cheyenne started and finished her record attempt from a line between Ushant and Le Stiff lighthouse on the French island of Ushant, rather than le Créac'h which is used for the all the Jules Verne attempts. Le Stiff is three miles to the east of le Créac'h so effectively Cheyenne sailed six miles more than should would have needed to on a Jules Verne Trophy attempt.

Cheyenne's ETA at Plymouth Yacht Haven will be around 2300BST this evening.