Fossett crosses the line

Early morning start for the crew of Cheyenne in their round the world record bid

The round the world record adventure for American skipper Steve Fossett and his 12 person crew aboard the 125ft maxi-catamaran Cheyenne officially began this morning off the French island of Ouessant (Ushant).

After a hard-fought night in the English Channel, they sped south and passed the observer of the World Sailing Speed Record Council at 05:10 and 35 secs GMT. They hope to pass him again (northbound this time) in less than nine weeks time as they target the 2002 official round the world sailing record of Bruno Peyron and the 110ft maxi-cat Orange of 64 days, 8 hrs, 37 mins, 24 secs. The record course length is 21,760 nautical miles, with actual sailing miles covered expected to exceed 26,000.

Steve Fossett reported early this morning: "We crossed the line at Ouessant Island at 5:10 and 35 seconds. It wasn't even easy to get to the start from Plymouth. We sailed upwind overnight with windspeeds up to 46 knots with gusts to 59 knots.

The official observer from WSSRC told us that in order to break the record of Orange will need to finish by April 11 13:46 and 59 seconds. That's a reminder that it is a long way around the planet."

Former record-holder Olivier de Kersauson (F) and his 110' trimaran Geronimo are fully stocked and are expected to leave imminently from their base in nearby Brest. Peyron and his brand new 120ft Orange will be ready to start later in the month, so it promises to be a banner year for this daunting challenge. With French solo sailor Francis Joyon's stunning solo RTW just completed in under 73 days, the standard of achievement for this year is already especially high.