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Peyron smashes round-world record

Orange also set seven other records during the circumnavigation

USHANT, Brittany -- Frenchman Bruno Peyron and his 12-strong crew aboard the catamaran Orange have smashed the Jules Verne non-stop round-the-world sailing record.

The offshore multihull skipper brought his 34-metre (110-foot) maxi catamaran across the Ushant finish line off the west coast of France at 1613 GMT on Sunday, knocking seven days off Olivier De Kersauson's 1997 record in Sport Elec.

Peyron's time was 64 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes and 24 seconds, covering 28,035 nautical miles at an average speed of 18.15 knots.

"A round-the-world journey is the most beautiful voyage there is. It's something you do without a net. And above all, the sea has allowed it," Peyron said on arrival.

His crew were full of gratitude for Peyron for allowing them to join him.

Sebastien Josse said "It was extradordinary. I discovered another dimension. The crew, the sea, it was exhilarating. I can't wait to set off again. It's a fulfillment in my life as a sailor, a dream come true and I've done it too the full."

Florent Chastel said he had not yet "come back to earth."

"I've got a head full of fabulous images. It was a magnificent adventure both from a technical and a human point of view."

Peyron was the first holder of the 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.

He said the weather conditions were easier than in 1993.

"In 1993, it was a discovery. We had conquered the world with a lot of prudence and getting below the 80 days barrier was a good thing. Today, it's a technical evolution."

New Zealander Sir Peter Blake and Briton Robin Knox Johnston lowered the time to 74 days 22 hours and 17 minutes in the 30m (92ft) catamaran ENZA in 1994 before De Kersauson set his 1997 record.

Peyron set off in Orange in early February only to be forced to abandon the attempt after just seven hours when the top of his mast broke.

He returned to Brest to make repairs and had to watch his rival De Kersauson set off in the 34m (110ft) maxi trimaran Geronimo ahead of him.

By the time Peyron was ready to set off again, De Kersauson had also had to abandon his attempt after finding high-speed handling problems after crossing the equator.

Orange's record has not been without problems. The crew was forced to sail many extra miles avoiding first calms and then storms.

In the final stages of the record they were nursing a cracked mast joint which could have sent their mast crashing into the water at any time putting a premature end to the attempt.

Already waiting in the wings for attempts in 2003 will be De Kersauson in the 34m (110ft) trimaran Geronimo, American Steve Fossett in the 38m (125ft) catamaran PlayStation and the all-female crew of Tracy Edwards on Maiden II, the old Club Med catamaran.

Also 25-year-old Briton Ellen MacArthur wants to make a Jules Verne attempt in early 2003, but has yet to find a boat.

Peyron also set seven new records during the circumnavigation, including: