The World Sailing Speed Record Council announced the establishment of a new World Record. The 30m, Farr designed supermaxi Leopard is the first boat racing under the WSSR rule 21c (Powered Sails) to attempt the ~140 mile crossing. Mike Slade and his crew of 24 completed the crossing in 11 hours 57 minutes and 53 seconds, averaging 11.5 knots.
There has been no previous record in the 21c category but it complies with WSSR rule 20.f in that the claim exceeds the World Cowes to Dinard Monohull Record of 12h 01m 31s held by “Adrien” and skipper J L Van de Heede (FRA), which was set Nov 2004.
(Rule 20.f.Powered sailing systems. In addition, any of these record categories can also apply to a vessel using powered sailing systems (see 21c.) provided a claim exceeds any corresponding World Record).
