Movistar breaks speed record

by Lizzie Green, Volvo Ocean Race on 7 Apr 2005 ‘Pedro! We just broke the world record - the boat literally flew - we covered 530 miles over 24 hours - we're thrilled,’ were the words of Bouwe Bekking, skipper of MoviStar, on April 6 (GMT).

Bekking made the call from the Southern Ocean with the aid of a short and simple satellite phone call from the Southern Ocean, communicating the great news back to the head office of the MoviStar Sailing Team in Spain.

After months of preparation and just a few days into the second part of their ocean training schedule for the Volvo Ocean Race, Bouwe excitedly told his colleagues the big news.

‘The boat and the team are giving great results and the feeling on board is fantastic. We felt confident that we could beat some record, but this was a pleasant surprise,’ continued Bekking.

Four days out of Wellington (New Zealand), en route to Cape Horn, sailing south-southeast about 2,000 miles from New Zealand, MoviStar once again confirmed everybody's expectations for the new Volvo Open 70.

‘We hoped that the boat would give us many pleasant surprises,’ said Pedro Campos, General Manager of the team, ‘but in all honesty, we never thought we'd get such great news so soon!’

‘The first thing I want to do is to congratulate the whole crew and the team in general for bringing home this incredible record to Spain.

‘This news illustrates the excellent work that's been carried out up until now. While we want to remain prudent, the news makes us feel quite optimistic in our expectations for the future,’ continued Campos.

Iker Martínez, Spanish 49er gold medallist in Athens 2004, spoke about the feat; ‘we averaged 22.08 knots over 24 hours. The boat literally flew! It's hard to describe the sensation as it cuts through the waves at this speed.’

Pepe Ribes, bowman and on-board communication manager, shared the optimism, ‘I think its fantastic news. As with any new boat, MoviStar has had its share of problems, with needed adjustments and changes, but we're seeing that it's fast and dependable.

‘Its innovative systems, such as the canting keel, require much training but I'm sure we can better our results with the schedule of activity going on now.’

‘This is brilliant news - just what the boat was designed for,’ said Glenn Bourke, Chief Executive of the Volvo Ocean Race, openly expressing his enthusiasm for the achievement.

‘Congratulations to the MoviStar team. Our speed predictions for the new Volvo Open 70 were right on target, showing that it's possible to cover 500 nautical miles in just one day. The new record of 530 miles - pending ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council - shows without a doubt just how fast the new design is.’

Pedro Campos is aware of the magnitude of the news: ‘This is a historic record for sailing. Nobody has ever gone so far in just 24 hours sailing in a single hull boat; and this was just a training session!

‘The whole team is extremely proud of the accomplishment. Seeing Spain's flag and the emblem of Galicia's Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo gracing this magnificent boat just adds to sense of satisfaction and appreciation.’

The former Volvo Ocean Race class, the VO 60, was well known to be a potential force in breaking records. The current 24-hour record for a monohull yacht under 60 foot, is 484 miles, set by illbruck, skippered by John Kostecki on April 30, 2002, averaging a speed of 20.16 knots.

Speed records are ratified by the World Speed Sailing Record Council after receiving all the information from the Volvo Ocean Race, who monitors the boat's position 24 hours a day.

The current world speed record holder for a monohull is held by a boat twice the length of MoviStar; the 140 foot Mari Cha IV, owned and skippered by Britain's Robert Miller.

A British boat, she had a crew of 24 onboard (in comparison with MoviStar's crew of 10) and set the record on October 7, 2003, covering 525.7 miles over 24 hours, averaging 21.9 knots.

The next challenge is Cape Horn. More adventure and excitement awaits the MoviStar team as they pass through one of the most treacherous passages of the world of sailing.

Known as ‘the End of the World’, the Cape is located on the southernmost extreme of South America, being for many years the only passage through the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, until the opening of the Panama Canal.

Baptized by the Dutch navigator Willem Schouten in 1616 in honour of his home town of Hoorn, the Cape boasts an impressive mantle of rock over 400 metres high and sharp cliffs topped off by a lighthouse. Aside sits a monument to all the sailors that have lost their lives in their attempt to pass it.

Although Bekking has already made the passage on various occasions, he knows that it must be approached with respect.

‘Our trip to Wellington was supposed to be uncomplicated, but we encountered tough conditions in sea and wind. Now with the speed record behind us, our team is eager to take on the next challenge,’ he said.

The team will soon reach this unique spot, a goal in itself for many sailors including offshore helmsman Martínez.

‘Despite all the technology and advancements that come with modern day racing, you're up against the whims of the elements. We hope to encounter good conditions and carry on the journey without complications,’ he said.

From Wellington to Cape Horn, MoviStar will cover 4,300 nautical miles, followed by an additional 2,400 miles to the port of Rio de Janeiro, for a total journey of 6,700 miles non-stop from New Zealand.

Campos shared the sense of expectation. ‘While each mile means another notch in our belt for experience, it takes us one step closer to one of the most important moments of the project, the arrival in Galicia, Spain.’

*Amended by Sail-World