Earthrace to join whaling protest

Earthrace will join Sea Sherpherd in an Antarctic whaling protest at the end of the year. Photo / Stuart Munro

World speed record-breaking powerboat Earthrace will support the Sea Shepherd whaling protest in the Antarctic Ocean at the end of this year, New Zealand skipper Peter Bethune says.

Earthrace set the fastest round-the-world speed record for a boat running on biodiesel in June last year, with the record confirmed by the world governing body for powerboating, Union International Motonautique, yesterday.

The trimaran set out from Sagunto, Spain on April 27 last year, travelling 23, 497 nautical miles around the globe over 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes to break the record.

Mr Bethune said Earthrace's next stop would be at the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary in December alongside Sea Shepherd to protest against Japan's whaling fleet.

"This is happening in my backyard and it really pisses me off.

"I'm going to make a stand alongside Sea Shepherd -- the whaling fleet will find it hard to get away from us."

- NZPA