700 mile day barrier topples

Orange II storming across the ocean

STOP PRESS: Since publishing the article below Orange II has upped the record to 706.25 nautical miles

Last night, the Orange II maxi-catamaran skippered by the French yachtsman Bruno Peyron and his crew beat the world record for the longest distance sailed in 24 hours. At 20.30 GMT yesterday evening, Orange II had covered 703 miles in the previious 24 hours at an average speed of 29.29 knots since Saturday evening at the same time.

Although awaiting ratification by the World Speed Sailing Record Council, Orange II will have broken the 24 hour record has been held since 13 June 2002 by the British yachtsman Brian Thompson on board his maxi-catamaran Maiden II who covered 694.78 miles at an average of 28.95 knots.

Orange II continued at this same pace for the whole of the night, only rarely falling below 30 knots on the speedo. Therefore she may well better this time.

At 0300 GMT this morning, Orange II also crossed the half way line of her Transatlantic record attempt after 53 h15 mins sailing since setting sail from New York. This puts her slightly ahead of of the Atlantic record time held by the American Steve Fossett.