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Fossett sails to new record
RAMSGATE, England -- American record breaker Steve Fossett has reclaimed his Round Britain and Ireland sailing record, shaving 55 minutes off Maiden 2's time. Fossett, sailing the world's largest catamaran PlayStation, crossed the finish line at 0847 GMT on Friday setting a new record of 4 days 16 hours and 9 minutes. He had held the record for the 1,796-mile course since 1994 until six weeks ago when Britain's Tracy Edwards beat his time in the 34-metre (110-foot) catamaran Maiden 2. She sailed the course in 4 days, 17 hours, 4 minutes and 23 seconds. PlayStation, a giant 38m (125ft) catamaran, crossed the start line on Sunday afternoon off Ramsgate Harbour and averaged 15.68 knots on the course. After three days at sea Fossett had built up a comfortable cushion of nine hours over the Maiden 2 record time set in September. But the wind died off the coast of Ireland on Thursday leaving PlayStation becalmed. When the wind reappeared PlayStation had fallen two hours behind the record pace and required a target speed of over 18 knots to break the record. For the final 24 hours a new record time hung in the balance as the wind and boat speed slowly increased. Watch leader Dave Scully said: "It is going to be very, very close -- not one of use is going to have any nails or hair left when this is over. "We're currently making 17 knots in 11 knots of breeze, which is slowly starting to build up. We're on the full Main and Solent, everyone is on deck trimming, and doing everything possible to maximise speed." The wind eventually built to over 30 knots giving the crew a fast and furious night time ride up the Channel -- close to busy shipping lanes -- at speeds in excess of 25 knots. "It was a fast, but difficult night -- high winds and plenty of traffic out there. The crew really dug in, with everyone working on gybes (5 through the night) and reefs," Fossett said. Fossett celebrated his new record by announcing a sponsorship deal with Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest brewer. All of the Fossett's challenges at sea and in the air until the end of 2004 will be branded with Michelob Ultra, a new low-carbohydrate beer. His future sailing plans include the cross-Channel record, the Route of Discovery East to West Trans-Atlantic record from Spain to the Bahamas and the 24-hour record.
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