ICAP Leopard smashes Transatlantic Speed Record
by Kate Fairclough 4 Jun 2008 02:30 PDT
3 June 2008
ICAP Leopard, the 100 foot super maxi yacht owned by Mike Slade, last night broke the Transatlantic speed record held by luxury yacht Phocea. Finishing the 2,925 nautical mile crossing from New York to the Lizard, Cornwall, UK, in seven days, 19 hours and 21 minutes, ICAP
Leopard shaved eight hours off the existing record, to claim her second world record in two years.
ICAP Leopard sailed at an average speed of 15.5 knots, and a top speed
of 37.4 knots, to complete the Atlantic crossing. She crossed the finish
line at the Lizard at 19:22:05 GMT (20:22:05 local BST) today, having
started the record attempt off Ambrose Light, New York, at 00:01 GMT on
Tuesday 27th May. The record she has broken, for a monohull yacht with
power-assisted winches, was previously held by 246 foot yacht Phocea who
sailed the course in eight days, three hours and 29 minutes.
Mike Slade, Chief Executive of London based property company Helical Bar
plc commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to get this Transatlantic
record. Having only had a three day weather window in New York during
which to leave, the weather Gods have been kind. This was a delivery
without a full sail wardrobe and we almost lost a full day avoiding
Southerly icebergs in the mid Atlantic, as well as experiencing a full
on collision with a monstrous sunfish. We always knew it would be close,
but that is the beauty of yacht racing, as you rely entirely on forces
beyond your control to get you there. If it was easy everyone would be
doing it!”
ICAP Leopard Boat Captain Chris Sherlock commented: “It was a nail
biting sail right to the finish. After a good final night, the wind
dropped on Tuesday morning, slowing us a little. With full sails up we
kept our foot down all the way in to the Lizard, and made it with time
to spare even against the tide. As I predicted, it was an incredibly
close run to the finish, but that’s the exact reason records are records
and therefore difficult to beat. I’d like to thank Roger Badham our
weather router, as well as our shore crew, for all of their support.”
ICAP Leopard holds the record for the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, which
she broke last August by an impressive nine hours. Upon ICAP Leopard’s
arrival in the UK, Mike Slade plans to race the super yacht on the
British circuit, competing in the Round Ireland Race and the JP Morgan
Round the Island Race, where the maxi yacht made her debut last year.
She will then compete in several European events over the Summer.
Record Attempt Crew:
1. Chris Sherlock - Boat Captain - Australia
2. Paul Stanbridge - Watch Leader/Driver - UK
3. Mark Thomas - Watch Leader/Driver - Australia
4. Ross Monson - Navigator - UK
5. Tim Sellars - Pitman - Australia
6. Zane Gills - Bowman - Australia
7. Paul Quinn - Bowman - New Zealand
8. Jonathan Carter - Bow Crew - Bermuda
9. Barnaby Henshaw Depledge - Trimmer - UK
10. Matthew Richardson - Trimmer - UK
11. Ben Morrison Jack - Trimmer - Australia
12. Gian Ahluwalia - Driver/Trimmer - Argentina