Record

Maiden II On Standby For Transatlantic Crossing

mercredi 10 avril 2002

The Maiden II team is preparing for their first major challenge. If the current weather pattern holds out, then at midday tomorrow, UK time, the 110ft maxi-catamaran will leave Cadiz for San Salvador - following the legendary route of discovery. Although the transatlantic voyage is currently classified as for training purposes, if circumstances allow then the team will attempt to break the 3884 nautical mile record.


The record is already held by the maxi-catamaran, with Grant Dalton’s Club Med recording a time of 10days 14hours 53 minutes and 44seconds in June 2000, with an average speed of 15.23 knots. Since then, Maiden II has had little or no modification and is currently hampered by a broken daggerboard after hitting a submerged voyage on the delivery route from Marseille. The crew has turned the daggerboard upside down so that the broken element is above the water and will carry out repairs in San Salvador.

Maiden II will leave the training base in the Vilamoura Marina at midnight tonight, to arrive in Cadiz mid-morning tomorrow. As Skipper Tracy Edwards is currently involved in sponsor negotiations, the mixed crew will be jointly skippered by Adrienne Cahalan and Helena Darvelid. Edwards commented : "This is a difficult record, as you have to have near perfect wind conditions. We’re taking the view that the crossing is for training, but if we get the wind conditions we need then we’ll go for it."

The crew is packed with experienced multihull and ocean racers :
 Adrienne Cahalan Skipper/Navigator Aus
 Helena Darvelid Skipper Sweden/UK
 Mikaela Von Koskull Watch Captain Finland
 Emma Richards Helm UK
 Sam Davies Rigger UK
 Sharon Ferris Sailmaker NZ
 Christine Haffi Crew Fr
 Anne Monmaseau Crew Fr
 Brian Thompson Watch Captain UK
 Regis Brule Crew Fr
 Stan Delbarre Crew Fr
 Ben Wood Helm UK
 Paul Larsen Helm Aus
 Greg Homann Crew Aus
 Fraser Brown Crew NZ
 Guillermo Altadill Helm Es



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