Supermaxi Comanche lays claim to new monohull 24 hour record of 620nm

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZL on 12 Jul 2015 The Ken Read skippered supermaxi Comanche has claimed a new 24 hour monohull distance sailing record, in the Trans Atlantic Race.

The new mark is now 620nm and is subject to ratification by the World Speed Sailing Council. The previous mark was set seven years ago in the Volvo Ocean Race.

Designed by Guillaume Verdier and VPLP Architects and launched in late 2014, the Jim Clark and Kristy Hinze-Clark owned 100fter was set up before the race in a manually powered configuration, meaning she could use her engine to provide hydraulic power for her canting keel, but all sails and running gear had to be manually winched.

Approximately 1300nm into the Atlantic, Read, an America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race skipper, along with top navigator, Stan Honey determined to position the boat underneath an approaching low pressure zone.

The low provided strong winds and flat seas - ideal for a record attempt.

While Read reports on the North Sails website that they have broken the 620nm mark, the 24 hour mark is a rolling figure and as Comanche was sailing at a faster speed at the end of the run, than she was at the start, the record distance will be calculated from her GPS trackers from the fastest 24 hour period of sailing.

The previous 24hour mark was set in the Volvo 70, Ericsson 4 in the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race, sailing 596nm on Leg 1 heading to the finish of the Leg in Cape Town, averaging 24.85kts.

Later it was reported from Comanche that navigator Stan Honey had been knocked unconscious in a fall onboard. Although he is believed to have recovered, it is unlikely he will have recovered sufficiently to compete aboard the Australian supermaxi Wild Oats XI in the Transpac yacht race, which starts next Saturday from Los Angeles finishing in Honolulu.