16.08.12
MOD70 skipper Michel Desjoyeau and his crew raced on FONCIA round the Isle of Wight during Cowes Week on the Artemis Challenge, in an astounding record time of 2 hours, 21 minutes and 25 seconds.
Sidney Gavignet on board Musandam-Oman Sail crossed just 1 minute and 28 seconds later to also beat the record which was set back in 2001 by the maxi cat PlayStation.
Partnering the two MOD70s were a pair of IMOCA Open 60's, Mike Golding’s Gamesa and the Artemis Ocean Racing which was skippered by Simon Clay. Aboard there were a host of VIP guests including the recently crowned Olympic silver medallist Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaughter out to watch and enjoy the charity event.
Michel Desjoyeaux enjoyed the win on his first sail around the Isle Wight “That was good, the weather was sunny and we had nice conditions with lots of wind all the way along. We had a few tacks to go to the Needles, which slowed us up, and Musandam-Oman Sail were faster upwind, they tacked in front of us, but they missed their last tack so we were able to overtake, pick up speed and finish first."
*The record is yet to be ratified.
Finishing Times – (official world records to be ratified by WSSRC)
Foncia – 12:21:25 BST
Musandam-OmanSail – 12:22:53 BST
Gamesa – 14:46:56 BST
Artemis Ocean Racing II – 14:48:07 BST
The previous multihull record was held by Maxi-catamaran Playstation’s record set in November 2001 (2hours, 33 minutes and 55 seconds).
