Orange ahead of Jules Verne record

Orange has been at sea for 42 days as it races to break the Jules Verne Trophy

LONDON, England -- The giant catamaran Orange is more than four days ahead of the current record as it attempts to win the Jules Verne Trophy.

Orange round Cape Horn on Saturday, 4-1/2 days ahead of the record set by Olivier de Kersauson of 71 days 14 hours and 22 minutes in 1997. To beat the record, it needs to cross the finish line on May 12.

As the catamaran leaves the Southern Ocean, the greatest obstacle will be negotiating a fast passage through the windless zone of the Doldrums just north of the Equator.

All the crew was on deck as Orange passed Cape Horn in fog and rain.

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"It's a moment of mixed feelings," said skipper Bruno Peyron after 42 days at sea.

"There's the relief of leaving the stress of the Southern Ocean behind and a sense of humility for those who have gone before us."

Peyron savoured the satisfaction of setting a record pace: "We've said it before but I'll say it again. Our course through the Indian Ocean was truly chaotic. The Pacific turned out to be the right place to attack. For the last eight days we've really stepped on the gas."

For the last week Orange has set a blistering track across the ocean, often sailing more than 600 nautical miles a day with the boat speed peaking at 39.7 knots.

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"The sheer power of the Orange cat is amazing," said Peyron.

"Rounding the Horn does not mean that our difficulties have come to an end. I'll never forget the rotten shaking Enza was given in 1994 a stone's throw from the finish."

Even though Orange has already built up a sizeable lead over the current record the Atlantic Ocean will be a test of tactics. Peyron and his crew face several difficult obstacles including the Saint Helena High, the Doldrums, the Azores High, and the notorious Bay of Biscay.

Peyron was the first holder of the Jules Verne Trophy, the unlimited fully-crewed non-stop around-the-world sprint, in 1993 sailing the 26m (85ft) catamaran Commodore Explorer in a time of 76 days, 6 hours and 13 minutes from Ushant back to Ushant off the west coast of France.

New Zealander Sir Peter Blake and Briton Sir Robin Knox-Johnston lowered the time to 74 days 22 hours and 17 minutes in the 30m (92ft) catamaran Enza in 1994.

In 1997 De Kersauson set the latest record.

De Kersauson abandoned a record attempt in February this year in the 35m (110ft) trimaran Geronimo before he even reached the Southern Ocean.

Waiting in the wings, if Peyron is not successful this year, are two British all-female crews and the American multi-millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett with the 38m (125ft) catamaran PlayStation who intend to set off in early 2003.

Twenty-five year old Ellen MacArthur recently announced a five-year sponsorship deal with Kingfisher that will include a Jules Verne attempt. She has not found a boat yet, but her rival Tracy Edwards has bought Club Med, designed by Gilles Ollier.