LONDON - Volvo Ocean Race leaders illbruck have added 11 miles to the world record they already held for distance sailed by a monohull in 24 hours.
The German-backed yacht had covered 484 miles at an average speed of 20.16 knots, improving on the 473 miles (average 19.708 knots) it registered
yesterday in the seventh leg between Annapolis and La Rochelle.
The previous record was 467.70 miles, set by Bernard Stamm's Armor Lux during a transatlantic record attempt last year.
At 1606 GMT on Wednesday (4.06am today NZT), illbruck had forged into an 18 mile lead over ASSA ABLOY, their main rivals for overall victory, with Tyco and SEB a four miles farther back.
The last-place yacht, Amer Sports Too, was dismasted and making preparations to sail under jury rig to St John, Canada.
illbruck's record remains provisional until ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, likely in about a week's time.
Three other yachts in the eight-strong fleet have also surpassed the old record with Tyco covering 474 miles, Assa Abloy managing 471 and SEB 468 miles.
illbruck skipper John Kostecki said strong following winds combined with the Gulf Stream were contributing factors.
"We broke the record by pushing the boat hard in favourable conditions. We had three different spinnakers up during the record run," said Kostecki.
"Our crew did a great job of sailing the boat fast and not making any mistakes. We managed to play the Gulf Stream well, slightly better than our competitors, which added to our overall boat speed.
"Everyone's extremely happy. There's lots of hoots and hollering but we're back to business racing and focused on racing hard."
illbruck's record also surpassed the previous best of 460.1 miles in the history of the Volvo (previously Whitbread) round-the-world race, set by Gunnar Krantz's SEB on the second leg through the Southern Ocean in November last year.
"illbruck has taken our record away from us. That was really painful," said Krantz. "It is funny how we all felt that it was our record and nobody else's."
The yachts still have over 2000 miles of racing before reaching La Rochelle in France.
- REUTERS
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Volvo Ocean Adventure
LONDON - Volvo Ocean Race leaders illbruck have added 11 miles to the world record they already held for distance sailed by a monohull in 24 hours.
The German-backed yacht had covered 484 miles at an average speed of 20.16 knots, improving on the 473 miles (average 19.708 knots) it registered
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